AUGUSTA (AP) — Bills to create a uniform teacher contract across the state are set for key committee votes. Republican Gov. Paul LePage says such an idea would help rural districts compete for teachers. Bills sponsored by GOP Reps. Matt Pouliot and Jeffrey Timberlake are set for work sessions Tuesday. Pouliot says his bill would […]
education
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Time crunch a major issue for teachers
Of all the problems facing Maine schools, finding time for the work teachers do outside the classroom is one of the most intractable, because time is a win/lose proposition, and the amount of time needed is far more than what is achievable under the current strategies. Early release and late start days are tempting because […]
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Legislators to debate bill to standardize teacher pay
A core priority of Gov. Paul LePage’s proposals to reform Maine’s public education system will face its first big public test this afternoon at the State House when a bill to create a statewide teachers contract is introduced to the Legislature’s Education Committee. LD 864 would establish a single contract for all public school teachers, as well as […]
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U.S., Maine colleges assure overseas students, you are welcome here
On a trip to India, the president of Portland State University reassured prospective students they’d be safe on his campus. Purdue University sent overseas applicants a note from two mayors touting Indiana’s “friendly smiles” and hospitality. And dozens of other schools produced online videos to welcome foreign students. As U.S. colleges face new but significant […]
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Paul LePage considers review of Maine’s special education standards
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday he may seek a review of Maine’s special education programs in a bid to standardize the way students are treated across the state. “I’m considering putting out an executive order to have that reviewed,” LePage told WGAN radio in Portland during his regular weekly appearance. “Maine does not […]
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GOP leaders refuse to back any budget with income tax surcharge
AUGUSTA — Months ago, Gov. Paul LePage called on Republicans to “fix bayonets” as he prepared for battle against legislative Democrats over his proposed two-year $6.8 billion budget proposal. On Thursday, they did just that. The GOP leaders in the Senate and House issued a joint statement declaring that no spending plan that included the […]
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Lawmaker: Gov. LePage overstates education surcharge
FORT KENT, Maine (AP) — The co-chairman of the Maine Legislature’s budget-writing committee says the governor is trying to overstate the impact of an education surcharge approved by voters. Maine Public reports that Gov. Paul LePage was challenged on his facts during his town hall meeting in Fort Kent, where he appeared to assert Monday […]
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Gov. Paul LePage pitches plan to consolidate school districts
Gov. Paul LePage AUGUSTA — Maine’s Republican governor says the answer to controlling increasing education costs is cutting administration and regionalizing school districts. Gov. Paul LePage told reporters Tuesday that consolidating schools means people will have to lose their jobs. The governor is backing legislation that would create up to 12 regional centers providing services like […]
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Education Dept. nixes UMPI’s grant bid due to line-spacing error
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine’s congressional delegation says the federal Department of Education has refused to review a pair of grant applications due to a line-spacing issue. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Reps. Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin have sent a letter to education secretary Betsy Devos about the error, urging the department to […]
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Gov. Paul LePage: ‘1 superintendent per county would be too much’
Gov. Paul LePage will hold a news conference on education funding Tuesday morning, followed closely by a second event that has been organized by the Maine Education Association and the Stand Up for Students coalition. LePage previewed his argument this morning during a radio interview on WVOM, though his comments were basically a review for […]