“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”

Ignacio Estrada

Maine Department of Education

“The Maine Department of Education’s mission is to provide leadership and to collaborate with educators and learning communities in order to ensure that every learner has the opportunity to be successful. The Department is working toward an education system that engages and challenges every student, is customized to each student’s individual needs and harnesses the power of technology to enhance and individualize learning.”

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Maine Department of Education Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education (MDOE OSSIE)

The Maine Department of Education – Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education is dedicated to improving results for students with disabilities by providing leadership, support and oversight to local education agencies. The Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education is committed to ensuring the provision of a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities (ages 3 to 22) as well as early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth through age 2). Our work is accomplished through collaboration with families, school districts, public and private agencies, and other programs.

Learn about MDOE OSSIE

Maine Unified Special Education Regulations (MUSER) – Chapter 101

“This rule governs the administration of the child find system for children age birth to twenty, the provision of early intervention services to eligible children birth to under age 3 (B-2) with disabilities and their families, and the provision of special education and related services to eligible children age three to twenty with disabilities and their families, implementing 20-A MRSA Chapters 301, and 303 and amendments thereto”

Learn About MUSER Chapter 101

McKinney-Vento

The Maine Department of Education and Maine schools follow the provisions of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This law helps students whose housing situations are impacting their education.

McKinney-Vento Education in MaineDo you (or someone you know) have unstable housing?Prevent Student Homelessness Through New Pilot ProgramView Outreach Flyers

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the nation and ensures special education and related services to those children.

The IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.”

Learn More About IDEA

U.S. Department of Education (ED)

“ED’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.”

Visit US DOE Site

U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitive Services (OSERS)

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is a part of the United States Department of Education (ED). OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in two main areas—special education and vocational rehabilitation—through its two main components: OSEP and RSA.

Learn More About OSERS

U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)

A subdivision of OSERS is the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.

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Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

The mission of the Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.”

Visit Office of Civil Rights

Maine CITE

“The Maine Department of Education’s Maine CITE Program is designed to help make assistive technology more available to Maine children, adults and seniors who need them.

Administered by the Maine Department of Education and funded by the federal Administration for Community Living.”

Visit Maine CITE

Wrightslaw

“Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.”

Learn About Wrightslaw

Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)

“All the materials found on the CPIR Hub have been created and archived for Parent Centers around the country to help them provide support and services to the families they serve. The CPIR employs a user-centered process, gathering the perspectives of our experienced audience—Parent Center staff members and other experts—every step of the way, to create products and services that increase Parent Centers’ knowledge and capacity in specific domains.”

Visit Center for Parent Information and Resources Site

Understood

“To help those who learn and think differently discover their potentials, take control, find community, and stay on positive paths along each stage of life’s journey.”

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CHADD

“We believe in improving the lives of people affected by ADHD.

In working towards our mission, the behavior of the CHADD staff and volunteer leadership is determined by the following core values:
  • Integrity
  • Respectful, open communication
  • Quality of our work product and productivity in our work effort, to assure sustained customer satisfaction
  • Flexibility and teamwork
  • A demonstrated commitment to diversity in all its forms
  • Dedicated to fulfilling CHADD’s mission with passion and enthusiasm”
Visit CHADD Site

Maine Access to Inclusive Education Resources

Maine Access to Inclusive Education Resources (MAIER) serves as an information and resource clearinghouse for professionals and families to assist in accessing and navigating programs and services related to inclusive education of students with disabilities. MAIER ensures that professionals, families and individuals who are at risk of or have identified disabilities receive information about practices to promote inclusion that are grounded in research.

Learn About MAIERView MAIR Booklet