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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Some people did not receive the original email sent on 9/12/2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Apologies if you are receiving this twice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Hello all,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We hope this <a href="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">
Back to School Update September 2025</a> provides relevant supports, guidance, and resources as you begin the new school year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">You can find this update linked on the DOE Multilingual Learner homepage under ESOL LISTSERV:
<a href="https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/multilinguallearner">Multilingual Learners | Department of Education</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We also want to highlight a recent addition to the
<a href="https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/multilinguallearner">DOE website</a> that affirms our shared responsibility for supporting multilingual learners in Maine schools:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Although the 2015 U.S. Department of Education 'Dear Colleague' guidance on English Learners has been rescinded, the civil rights protections underlying that guidance remain fully in effect.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.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">*Please note that the federal language still uses English Learners to refer to Multilingual Learners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As always, we are here to support with any questions, recommendations, or requested supports.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">With gratitude,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Jane and Melanie<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline"><b>Jane Armstrong (she,her)<span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline">English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) State Specialist <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline">Office of Teaching and Learning<br>
Maine Department of Education <br>
23 State House Station <br>
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023 <br>
<b>Email: </b><a href="mailto:jane.armstrong@maine.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">jane.armstrong@maine.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline"><b>Phone:</b> 207-446-3294 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align:baseline"><br>
<a href="http://www.maine.gov/doe" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Facebook</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Instagram</span></a> |
<a href="https://mainedoenews.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE Newsroom</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p>
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