Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
AUGUSTA — School districts in Franklin, Androscoggin, Oxford and Somerset counties were among 11 groups who will share $4.6 million in Maine Department of Education EMBRACE grants, announced Jan. 31.
The grants were awarded to school districts and other education agencies as part of the statewide regionalization initiative, the round-two EMBRACE grants prioritize Enabling Maine students to Benefit from Regional and Coordinated approaches to Education.
The awardees are partnering on a regional level to improve educational opportunities for students. Based on the funding requests, totaling $4.6 million, the 11 awardees are projected to save over $10 million in a five-year period, the department said in a news release. A total of 19 applications were received by the Department for the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services grant, which was made available to districts last fall. Grant recipients included:
* Western Maine Standard Analysis, which supports an audit of the programming and graduation standards across the regional members was a grant recipient. The analysis will lead to greater uniformity of standards across districts to support seamless transfer of student achievement from school to school and collaborative staff development. The program is lead by Regional School Unit 73 (Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls) and also includes Lisbon Public Schools, RSU 9 (Chesterville, Farmington, Industry, New Sharon, New Vineyard, Starks, Temple, Vienna, Weld, Wilton); RSU 10 (Buckfield, Hanover, Hartford, Mexico, Roxbury, Rumford, Sumner); RSU 44 (Bethel, Greenwood, Newry, Woodstock); RSU 56 (Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, Peru); RSU 58 (Avon, Kingfield, Phillips, Strong); RSU 59 (Madison), RSU 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon) and the Western Maine Educational Collaborative.
* In Lewiston, Great Falls Regional Support for Preschoolers with Disabilities will support the transition of special education services for 3- to 5-year olds into the Lewiston School Department with full implementation by August 2020 to ensure a successful early integration of students into district schools. The lead district was Lewiston Public School, with participants including Auburn Public Schools, RSU 16 (Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland) and RSU 52/MSAD 52 (Green, Leeds, Turner).
* In Someset County, the Kennebec Valley Expanded STEAM Outreach Project will build on clear evidence of improved student outcomes to support the expansion of the current STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program, which was funded through the round-one EBRACE grant. STEM-related arts will be added to the curriculum and student access will be increased. The STEAM program will introduce middle school students to STEAM educational experiences and career pathways. The lead district was RSU 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon), and other participants were RSU 83/MSAD 13 (Bingham, Moscow) and RSU 59/MSAD 59 (Madison).
* Also in Somerset County, the Kennebec Valley Whatever It Takes School project will support a middle school alternative education program that aims to reduce dropout and truancy rates by providing new and improved opportunities for at- risk students with multiple pathways for achievement. The lead district was RSU 59 (Madison), and participants were RSU 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon) and RSU 83 (Bingham, Moscow).
Other programs getting grants were in Washington County, northern Penobscot County, the Biddeford area, Waldo County, Lincoln County, southern Aroostook County, northern Aroostook County and the Westbrook-Gorham area.
