3 Aggregate Road, Poland, ME 04274
Phone 207.998.2727 | Fax 207.998.2753

Testing and Accountability

The Every Student Succeeds Act, known as ESSA was signed into law December 2015 by President Obama. This empowers districts to strengthen school accountability, interventions & innovations by shifting authority from the federal government to the states, creating new opportunities for states to develop innovative approaches that enhance school performance.

RSU 16 Accepting ESEA Application Comments

RSU 16 accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. As part of ESEA, RSU 16 is required to provide reasonable opportunity for public comment on the consolidated application and consider such comment prior to submission of the application.

RSU 16 is accepting public comment on the ESEA application through July 30, 2023.  Click here to share your thoughts about the application’s goals and priorities.

RSU 16 accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965.  These funds are commonly referred to as the “Title funds” or “Title grant money”.

District Goals

  • Goal #1: Improve the consistency and effectiveness of reading instruction to increase student achievement.
  • Goal #2: Improve the consistency and effectiveness of math instruction to increase student achievement.
  • Goal #3: Decrease the percent of the student body chronically absent.

The allocations and use of funds are as follows:

  • Title I:  Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged - $414,692 (+$91,151.26) in Title II transfer to Title I) = $505,843.26
  • Title I, Part A is a federal program designed “To provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.” Title I, Part A can support early learning and Kindergarten to grade 12. Title I, Part A programs and services provide customized instruction and curricula that helps these students meet academic standards and take an active, engaged interest in what they learn and can do. As the oldest and largest federal education program, Title I, Part A programs build equity of opportunity for children whose struggles often keep them on the academic sidelines. 
  • Title I is a federally funded program that provides supplemental academic support and extended learning opportunities to low achieving children in high poverty schools. The purpose of Title I is to ensure that all children have a fair and equal opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and achieve proficiency on Maine’s challenging academic standards. 
    • Our Title I (and Title II) funds pay for the salaries, benefits, and supplies of our Title I Literacy and Math teachers and provide professional development for our Title staff.  Funds are also used for PreK-6 Parent Engagement activities with a focus on math and literacy.  Title I funds are also used to support homeless students and pay a stipend for our Homeless/McKinney Vento liaison (Jenny Rose).
  • Project Title: Safe and Healthy Students - $27,560 ––– Funds will be used to increase the number of days (2 days to 3 days) students at PRHS/WMS are served by our Drug and Alcohol Counselor, purchase an SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) curriculum for PRHS and provide a set aside for family engagement.
  • Project Title: Reach-Teach-Connect - $27,560 ––– Funds will be used to enhance the knowledge and expertise of educators in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields while providing them with the necessary resources and teaching methods to support active learners. The allocated funds will be utilized to promote the integration of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) principles alongside high-quality instruction, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience for students.

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