Maine

The purpose of this document is to capture state-by-state information of policy and guidelines related to the science of reading / evidence-based reading instruction to be presented on The Reading League Compass, a website of reliable and reputable guidance and resources for targeted stakeholder groups.

Updated 2025

Local control?

Yes

Has your state passed legislation and/or non-legislated rule changes related to the science of reading?

No

Does your state have an approved curriculum list?

No

Please describe any other instructional-materials work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable

Literacy Hub & “Literacy for ME 2.0”

• The Literacy Hub is described as “your go‑to space for research, resources, and practical tools to support literacy instruction at every level.” Maine+1
• The “Literacy for ME 2.0” plan gives statewide guidance for high‑quality, culturally responsive literacy instruction. Maine+1
• The Hub includes sections such as: “High‑Quality, Evidence‑Based Literacy Instruction”, “Structured Supports” (e.g., phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension) and other supports for dyslexia, multilingual learners, MTSS, etc. Maine+1

Professional Learning Modules in the Science of Reading

• Through master agreements, the Maine DOE offers the AIM Pathways “Steps to Literacy” modules as well as the Keys to Literacy moduels: asynchronous online courses for educators that cover the “Science of Reading” (a body of research on how individuals learn to read) plus phonological awareness, decoding & spelling, vocabulary, writing, demystifying dyslexia. Maine+1
• These modules are explicitly described as “research and evidence‑based content in the science of reading.” Maine
• The Maine DOE has supported educator access to these modules — e.g., free access for K‑5 educators, access at reduced cost with reimbursement options, and grant support for school teams to complete Module 1 (Overview of Science of Reading) and Module 6 (Demystifying Dyslexia). Maine DOE Newsroom+1

Guidance Documents & Data

• On the Literacy Resources page, Maine DOE offers a “High‑Quality, Evidence‑Based Literacy Instruction” guidance document for PreK‑3. Maine+1
• They also provide “Progression of literacy learning targets” by age/grade span, and data collections (“By the Numbers”) to inform practice. Maine

Family & Community Resources

• There is a “Literacy Resources Guide for Families & the Community” which links to research‑based resources and tools for caregivers, early childhood, etc. Maine

Does your state mandate or provide guidance on early screening?

Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, a school administrative unit shall screen for dyslexia students from kindergarten to grade 2 who have difficulty, as identified by a classroom teacher, in an area described in paragraphs A to F. The screening of a student must include an examination of the student’s:

A. Phonological and phonemic awareness;

B. Sound-symbol recognition;

C. Alphabet knowledge;

D. Decoding skills;

E. Rapid naming skills; and

F. Encoding skills.

Please describe any other assessment work related to the science of reading with links, where applicable

Alignment with reading science via policy shift

While not exactly an “assessment”, the Maine DOE recently announced a plan (in October 2025) to implement “evidence‑based instruction, including ‘Science of Reading’ for literacy.” The Maine State Literacy Action Plan mentions “helping local schools and districts to set literacy attainment goals using universal literacy screeners in early education and elementary grades.” Maine DOE Newsroom

Does your state have policy or guidance related to MTSS that incorporates information on the science of reading and/or evidence-based literacy practices?

The Maine DOE’s Literacy Hub explicitly links MTSS with “evidence‑based literacy instruction” in its section on “Structured Supports”:

“Multi‑tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) — Curious how to support every reader’s success? Learn how a Multi‑tiered System of Supports (MTSS) ensures all students have timely and relevant access to evidence‑based literacy instruction and intervention!” Maine+1

The Maine literacy plan, Literacy for ME 2.0, states explicitly:

“High‑quality literacy instruction must: Include systematic, evidence‑based, high‑impact instruction in foundational literacy …” and that “MTSS‑R is a framework for providing high‑quality reading instruction for all students, identifying students needing supplemental or more intensive support …” Maine

• Professional development: The state offers modules (e.g., “Steps to Literacy”) for educators focused on the science of reading (phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, etc.) via the AIM Pathways platform. Maine+2Maine DOE Newsroom+2
• The MTSS professional learning series from Maine DOE emphasizes “data‐based decision‑making, layered support, and continuous progress monitoring”. Maine DOE Newsroom
• The literacy plan is clear about “systematic, evidence‑based, high‑impact instruction,”

Does your state have policy or guidance related to instruction and/or professional development

Interdisciplinary Instruction & Integrated Literacy Offerings

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has established clear and comprehensive guidance related to literacy instruction and professional development through its Maine Literacy Action Plan, a statewide initiative grounded in learning science and a belief that every child can become a confident reader.

The Department views the Science of Reading as synonymous with research-based instructional practices, which serve as the foundation for effective literacy instruction. Central to this approach is knowledge building, a core component of integrated literacy instruction that supports student engagement and comprehension across content areas.

Aligned with the Plan’s vision—that every child in Maine becomes a confident, capable reader through high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction—the DOE is implementing strategic priorities to ensure all educators are equipped to deliver effective literacy instruction. These priorities include:

• Equipping future teachers with research-based knowledge and skills through alignment of educator preparation programs with evidence-based practices and course requirements that emphasize foundational reading skills.
• Empowering current educators through high-impact, sustained professional learning opportunities, including regional Literacy Hubs, virtual coaching, and the Maine Literacy Summer Institute.
• Launching the Governor’s Evidence-Based Literacy Initiative to unify statewide efforts around a shared vision, develop a State Literacy Playbook, and recognize school-level literacy gains.
• Expanding access to books and family literacy supports through partnerships, home toolkits, and statewide initiatives such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

To further strengthen implementation, the Department is developing professional learning on concept-based inquiry strategies, grounded in research and designed to integrate reading, writing, speaking, and listening across content areas. These strategies deepen students’ engagement with complex texts and ideas while reinforcing connections between literacy and subject-area knowledge.

Guided by the principles that literacy is a fundamental right, that every educator deserves high-quality training, and that literacy learning begins at birth and extends through communities, the Maine DOE’s policies and professional development initiatives reflect a cohesive, evidence-based commitment to literacy for all.

Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading?

The Maine Department of Education has developed a Guidance Document for Early Literacy (Pre-K–Grade 3) that outlines the tenets of high-quality early literacy programming aligned with the Science of Reading. 

This state-developed guidance defines the essential components of effective instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, and emphasizes the importance of knowledge building and oral language development in early reading success.

Grounded in research-based practices, the document provides school administrative units with clear direction for implementing evidence-based literacy instruction that is coherent, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive. It also supports alignment with Maine’s Literacy Action Plan, which advances a statewide vision that every child becomes a confident, capable reader through high-quality instruction delivered by well-prepared educators.

In addition to this guidance, the Maine DOE maintains an online Literacy HUB and offers professional learning and training modules to help educators apply the Science of Reading and integrated literacy instruction effectively across early learning settings.

Training for Maine educators is offered around the state, and in multiple formats including in-person sessions, synchronous virtual sessions, and asynchronous recordings and course materials hosted on the EnGiNE platform.

Recent and Upcoming Offerings include:

• Summer Learning Institute: intensive and immersive 3-day institute focused on integrating literacy across the curriculum
• Year-Round Sessions on:
  • Place-Based Learning and literacy integration
  • Object-Based Learning and literacy integration
  • Question Formulation Technique
  • Modern Literacies
  • Cookbooks for Literacy
  • Graphic Novels for Literacy
  • Historical Literacy
  • Teaching with Primary sources (literacy focus)
  • Documenting Learning
  • Literacy through Textile
• “Integrating Literacy” series:
  • Mapmaking, 
  • Applied Science, 
  • Background Knowledge, 
  • the Dispositions, 
  • Graphic Novels, 
  • Object-Based Learning, 
  • the Writing Process,
  • Student Engagement

Please describe any grant work that names the science of reading and/or evidence-aligned instruction including links, where applicable

The professional development offerings referenced above are part of grant-funded initiatives that explicitly incorporate the Science of Reading and evidence-aligned instructional practices. These programs are designed to provide educators with research-based strategies that support effective literacy instruction across grade levels.

Has your state reviewed standards for alignment to the science of reading?

No

Does your state have guidance or resources for families related to the science of reading?

The Literacy Hub, hosted on the Maine DOE website, provides families with guidance and resources grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned with the Science of Reading. The Hub offers practical strategies, tips, and materials to support literacy development at home, helping families engage children in reading, writing, and language activities that reinforce skills taught in school. Materials are refreshed, updated and rotated regularly. 

Do you have policy or guidance regarding how to leverage evidence-based practices to support secondary students?

The Maine Department of Education provides professional learning and guidance for PreK–12 educators grounded in the Science of Reading and evidence-based instructional practices. The DOE’s Early Literacy Guidance Document (Pre-K–Grade 3) outlines the essential components of effective literacy instruction—including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, knowledge building, and oral language development—and aligns with Maine’s Literacy Action Plan, which envisions every child becoming a confident, capable reader.

To support implementation across all grade levels, the DOE maintains an online Literacy Hub and offers a variety of professional learning opportunities in multiple formats, including in-person, synchronous virtual, and asynchronous sessions via the EnGiNE platform. Recent and upcoming offerings for PreK–12 educators include the Summer Learning Institute, workshops on object- and place-based learning, graphic novels, modern literacies, and teaching with primary sources, as well as the “Integrating Literacy” series covering topics such as mapmaking, applied science, object-based learning, the writing process, and student engagement. These programs provide educators with research-based strategies to strengthen literacy instruction across the PreK–12 continuum.

Does your state have state-developed guidance documents or training courses related to the science of reading and Multilingual learners?

Together with the Maine Learning Results, the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition forms the foundation for ESOL programs in the state of Maine. All school administrative units (SAUs) are required to implement the ELD standards as an essential part of the core instructional program for students who are multilingual learners. WIDA’s ELD Standards incorporate evidence-based practices for literacy and reading development through explicit and systematic instruction and assessment.

The Maine Department of Education supports schools with resources, guidance, and professional learning regarding strategies for teaching and assessment, educational equity, state and federal policies, and many other related topics.

Does your state have licensure or program approval criteria to ensure Educator Preparation Programs are aligned to the science of reading?

No

Do you have a “contact us” website that we can share publicly on TRL Compass?

https://www.maine.gov/doe/literacy

Please describe and link to any other work you would like to share that relates to the science of reading

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) offers a comprehensive suite of evidence-based resources and professional development opportunities grounded in the Science of Reading. These initiatives are designed to support educators in delivering high-quality literacy instruction across all grade levels.

Key Resources and Initiatives:

• Literacy Hub: The Maine DOE’s Literacy Hub serves as a central resource for educators, providing access to structured literacy materials, including guidance on phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. It also offers professional development opportunities and tools to support the implementation of evidence-based literacy practices. Maine
• AIM Pathways™: This interactive digital training platform delivers evidence-based content in the Science of Reading. Each module follows a “learn, practice, apply” cycle and includes teaching techniques, demonstration videos, and printable resources to help educators integrate new strategies into classroom practice. Maine
• Professional Learning Opportunities: The Maine DOE offers a variety of professional development opportunities, including webinars, workshops, and courses, to support educators in implementing the Science of Reading. These sessions are designed to enhance educators’ knowledge and skills related to beginning reading and literacy pedagogy. Maine
  

These resources and initiatives reflect Maine’s commitment to providing educators with the tools and support needed to implement high-quality, evidence-based literacy instruction that aligns with the Science of Reading.

Use the interactive state map to find descriptions of state-level policy adoption, guidance, and practices related to the science of reading. State policy may include legislation incorporating training or practices related to the science of reading or state education agency guidance regarding policy, professional development, curricula, instruction, or assessment.

Filter by specific topic area(s) to find state-specific work: 

The Reading League expresses gratitude to our collaborators and associates within the state education agencies for sharing their state-specific data. This data will undergo semi-annual updates, contingent upon the availability and resources of the respective state agencies. For any inquiries, clarifications, or updates, please reach out to compass@thereadingleague.org.