AUBURN – A statewide educational cooperative with members in the tri-county area has received a three-year, $195,000 grant to help create standards for students.

The Maine Assessment Cooperative, begun last spring by the Auburn-based Center for Educational Services, includes schools in Auburn, Livermore, Bethel, Turner, Greene, Leeds, Sabattus, Litchfield and Wales, Bridgton and Fayette.

The cooperative formed as a result of the Maine Learning Results legislation, which mandates that all school districts teach the state’s academic standards to all students.

The legislation also requires districts to put a complex local system of assessments in place to make sure students are reaching the standards. Districts work together to develop assessments, share solutions to common problems and learn what they need to know to make local assessment systems work for students, teachers, parents and communities.

“These funds will help support professional development as members continue their implementation of Maine Learning Results,” said Susan Card, program co-director.

The grant is from the Boston-based Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust, which funds projects throughout New England in the areas of health, education and the environment. The award distribution is $70,000 for the first year, $65,000 the second year and $60,000 the third year.