Per Maine Statute: §6209. System of learning results established, section 4, the Department follows a scheduled, periodic review of the Maine Learning Results every 5 years. To stagger the implementation of the revised standards, the Department revises 2-3 content areas per year: social studies and science in year 1, career and education development, English language arts, and mathematics in year 2, and health education and physical education, visual and performing arts, and world language in year 3 of the cycle. The 5 year standards review cycle is part of a continuous improvement process and does not need to result in a major revision during each cycle.

Typically, the revision takes place over three years per content area. The Department’s process is to review, and revise as necessary, the standards in year one. This is done in partnership with stakeholders, including teachers, administrators and higher education staff. During year two, we work through the legislative process for major substantive rule chapter approval, as well as develop resources to support implementation. In year three we support implementation by providing professional learning throughout the state. In subsequent years, we provide guidance and resources to SAUs in making the transition to the revised standards. There is no pre-determined date when SAU must make the transition to the revised standards. It is the Department’s expectation that SAUs will use their own professional judgment and phase in the revised standards at a pace that makes sense for their students and for their educational practice.

Below is a list of content area standards. Click on the "see review details" button to see where each content area is in the review process. 

News

• Public Comment Period to End Soon for Rule Chapter 132, Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction
• Public Comment for Rule Chapter 132: Learning Results, Parameters for Essential Instruction
• Public Comment: Rule Chapter 132: Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Education; Science and Social Studies Standards 
• Maine DOE Seeks Public Comment for Social Studies and Science and Engineering Standards 
• Maine Department of Education Seeks Educators for Science and Social Studies Standards Revision Writing Team

 

Standards

 

Review Process

The Maine Department of Education utilizes a 13-step process to review the Maine Learning Results in each of the content areas.

Step	Time Period	Details
Step 1	Fall	The commissioner gives the approval to begin the standards review process
Step 2	Fall	Public comment period and hearings on current content standards
Step 3	Winter	Steering Committee: A committee of content area experts who represent the cultural diversity found in Maine and a range of viewpoints as to the content of the standards is formed and tasked to: Review all comments submitted during the initial public comment period; Develop a blueprint for the revision of the state standards in their assigned content area; Address and advise the writing committees when deadlocks occur. The Maine State Board of Education will appoint one member of the Steering Committee.
Step 4	Winter	Maine DOE review and approval of the steering committee's recommended blueprint for standards revision
Step 5	Summer	Writing Team: Teams of pk-12 public school teachers who represent Maine’s cultural and geographical diversity are formed and broken into smaller groups, facilitated by the Maine DOE content specialist, to revise content standards based on guidance from the Steering Committee.
Step 6	Summer	The Writing Team submits draft proposal to the Maine Department of Education.
Step 7	Fall	Internal Maine DOE review of standards revision
Step 8	Fall	The Maine DOE files the standards revision document as proposed rules with the Secretary of State.
Step 9	Fall	Maine DOE will hold a public hearing followed by a public comment period on the proposed rules.
Step 10	Winter	Maine DOE prepares and submits provisional adoption of standards revision to the Secretary of State and Legislative Council. The Legislature, once in session in January, will refer the rule as a legislative document to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee where they will be given an LD Resolve to revise during session.
Step 11	Winter	The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing and work session before sending the proposed rules on to the full legislature.
Step 12	Spring	Final adoption of revised standards by the Maine State Legislature.
Step 13	Spring	The Maine Department of Education will prepare the standards regulation for final adoption