Public Preschool Programs in Maine: Program Design Capacity and Expansion Challenges

This study provides an update on the characteristics of public preschool programs in Maine as well as the progress and challenges in expansion of programs

MaineCare Billing in Public School Districts

To understand how Maine public schools could be encouraged to maximize use of Maine’s Medicaid program, MaineCare, to increase federal funding for medical services provided to qualifying students in grades K-12. School districts are uneven in their MaineCare billing practices, and many are not accessing all of the federal funds for which they are eligible

How Students with IEP’s and Their Teachers are Faring in Maine Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The goal of the study was to better understand how instruction to students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) was delivered during remote learning this past spring and during the fall semester of the 2020-21 school year, and how these vulnerable students have been impacted. Research questions looked at special education teacher impressions of what was effective, the challenges in delivery of remote education, and how student academic progress was affected. Special education teachers and special education directors were also asked how to best help students who fell behind and what additional resources or supports they needed. Teachers reported that most students\u27 well-being and academic progress was lower than expected during emergency remote learning in the spring of 2020. However, special education teachers noted that this fall there were some students who were doing much better in remote learning than they had in traditional learning. They reported having students whose academic progress in school in the fall was greater than expected, and that these outnumbered the students who saw a decline in academic progress. Overall, students\u27 well-being in the fall was similar to pre-pandemic. The most commonly perceived benefits of remote learning for their students with an IEP were more individualized learning (47%, n=66), students feeling less social/peer pressure (44%, n=62), and parent/caregivers better understanding how their student learns (41%, n=58)

Telehealth Support Services for Students in Maine Schools Before and After the COVID Pandemic

The study also sought to learn what works well with telehealth delivery of therapy services for students with Individualized Education Plans IEPs and the drawbacks to using school-based telehealth services, from participants’ perspectives

Telehealth Support Services for Students in Maine Schools Before and After the COVID Pandemic

The study also sought to learn what works well with telehealth delivery of therapy services for students with Individualized Education Plans IEPs and the drawbacks to using school-based telehealth services, from participants’ perspectives

How Students with IEP\u27s and their Teachers are Faring in Maine Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The goal of study was to better understand how instruction to students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) was delivered during remote learning this past spring and during the fall semester of the 2020-21 school year, and how these vulnerable students have been impacted

Challenges with Teacher Retention and Staffing and Shortages in Maine School Districts

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the challenges rural school districts in Maine face in hiring and retaining teachers, and the consequences or impacts of staffing shortages or under-qualified staff in certain areas

Strategies for Supporting Student Learning Needs during the COVID Pandemic in Maine and Other States

This study seeks to identify and describe practices that emerged in Maine and elsewhere in the US during the pandemic to support PK-12 students’ learning needs (including academic, social-emotional and mental health needs) through the remote, online or hybrid modalities during this challenging period in education

Challenges with Teacher Retention and Staffing and Shortages in Maine School Districts

The purpose of this study is to learn more about the challenges rural school districts in Maine face in hiring and retaining teachers, and the consequences or impacts of staffing shortages or under-qualified staff in certain areas

Strategies for Supporting Teachers\u27 Instructional and Mental Health Needs during the COVID Pandemic in Maine and Other States

This study focused on identifying and describing practices or strategies that emerged in Maine and elsewhere in the US during the pandemic to support teachers’ delivery of instruction through remote, online or hybrid modalities. Other types of support, such as mental health supports for educators were also investigated