"The University of Maine has once again emerged with an innovative project to address issues in our state," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. "We are pleased that this project has been selected to receive funding, and we hope that many positive outcomes result."
The University of Maine College of Education and Human Development proposed a Statewide Transition to Teaching Project to address Maine's critical shortage of highly qualified teachers. The shortage has been well documented and, in 2000, the Maine Legislature began to address the issue by creating the K-12 educator recruitment and retention. The Commission's report examined the issues and outlined recommendations and strategies in focus areas including Educator Recruitment, Educator Induction, and Educator Retention. The Commission's comprehensive report served as an excellent foundation upon which to build the Transition to Teaching Project, which will address the state's teacher shortage by integrating three critical elements:
• The recruitment of mid-career professionals and recent college graduates with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than education.
• The provision of intensive training and ongoing professional support
• The development of a standards-based, alternative route to Maine teacher certification.
The project will target three high need areas of Maine: the Mid-Coast region, Washington County, and Aroostook County. The University of Maine College of Education and Human Development will work in partnership with Superintendents' Associations and LEAs in each region to obtain the goals of the project.