Back to School Update, September 2025

[Armstrong, Jane]

Hello all,

We hope this Back to School Update September 2025<https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Multilingual%20Learning%20-%20September%202025%20Back%20to%20School%20Update%20-%209.12.2025.pdf> provides relevant supports, guidance, and resources as you begin the new school year.
You can find this update linked on the DOE Multilingual Learner homepage under ESOL LISTSERV: Multilingual Learners | Department of Education<https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/multilinguallearner>

We also want to highlight a recent addition to the DOE website<https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/multilinguallearner> that affirms our shared responsibility for supporting multilingual learners in Maine schools:

Although the 2015 U.S. Department of Education 'Dear Colleague' guidance on English Learners has been rescinded, the civil rights protections underlying that guidance remain fully in effect. Under both federal law (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974) and the Maine Human Rights Act, school administrative units have an obligation to ensure that Multilingual/English learners have meaningful access to the district's educational programs and services.

Failure to provide appropriate language assistance services or to remove barriers to participation may constitute discrimination on the basis of national origin and language, which is prohibited under the Maine Human Rights Act. School administrative units are therefore accountable for implementing policies, practices, and supports that guarantee equitable access to instruction, comparable participation in academic and extracurricular programs, and timely communication with families in languages they can understand.
*Please note that the federal language still uses English Learners to refer to Multilingual Learners.

As always, we are here to support with any questions, recommendations, or requested supports.
With gratitude,
Jane and Melanie


Melanie Junkins, MSEd (she/her)

Multilingual and Bilingual Education Specialist

Office of Teaching and Learning

Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: melanie.junkins at maine.gov<mailto:melanie.junkins at maine.gov>

Phone: 207-215-9694


Jane Armstrong (she,her)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) State Specialist
Office of Teaching and Learning
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023
Email: jane.armstrong at maine.gov<mailto:jane.armstrong at maine.gov>
Phone: 207-446-3294

Maine DOE<http://www.maine.gov/doe> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en> | Maine DOE Newsroom<https://mainedoenews.net/>
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