Purpose
The Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) has developed a proposal to address two critical needs: the shortage of qualified special education teachers and the need for evidence based behavioral support systems for Maine's youngest learners. This proposal supports Maine's Part B State Performance Plan and responds directly to the Absolute Priority requiring the expansion of Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs. Key partners include the Maine DOE's Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education, the Office of Teaching and Learning, the University of Southern Maine, the Maine Parent Federation, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the Maine Department of Labor, Educate Maine, and participating districts across the state.
Two goals are proposed for the 2026 Maine SPDG proposal:
Goal 1: To increase the number of qualified Maine teachers through Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs (RTAPs), including teachers who serve infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.
Goal 2: To improve student outcomes through the effective implementation of the Pyramid Model in learning environments for children ages three to five, as measured by decreases in chronic absenteeism, modified schedules, and behavioral incidents.
Goal 1 objectives address recruitment and selection of RTAP participants, evidence-based training and mentoring, leadership capacity at the district and school levels, and dissemination of effective practices. USM will deliver all RTAP coursework and award participants a fully credentialed pathway to special education teacher certification, followed by three years of structured post-program support combining individualized mentoring and facilitated peer group engagement. Goal 2 objectives address site selection, evidence-based training and coaching, data systems, and family engagement, building on Maine's existing PBIS infrastructure through one pilot LEA in Year 1 and three cohorts of districts receiving intensive support across the remaining grant years.
Primary outcomes for Goal 1 include completion of the RTAP program by 125 participants across 10 LEAs, with 80% retained in teaching positions two years after program completion and 80% of mentors implementing mentoring practices with fidelity. Primary outcomes for Goal 2 include 70% of participating LEAs implementing the Pyramid Model with fidelity within three years and measurable reductions in chronic absenteeism and behavioral incidents among children ages three to five. An independent external evaluation conducted by KAS Consulting, LLC will assess fidelity of implementation, participant outcomes, and program impact, with findings disseminated bi-annually to relevant partners.
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