Periscope video by Scott Thistle, State Politics Editor LEWISTON — Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday he would forgo the state’s official nomination process in selecting a new commissioner for the Department of Education and take on the role himself. LePage said acting Commissioner William Beardsley will remain in place for the remainder of the […]
education
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Common core standards debated in legislative hearing
AUGUSTA — Education organizations in Maine opposed a bill to repeal the state’s involvement in the Common Core State Standards over objections that the standards are confusing and rob communities of local control over their schools. The bill, LD 1492, sponsored by Rep. William Tuell, R-East Machias, would end Maine’s participation in the Common Core […]
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Posted inLetters
Too many tests; too much taxation
Here we go again. According to a Dec. 4 story in the Sun Journal, taxpayers will be forced to come up with millions of dollars for new tests for school children, and pay it to a firm in New Hampshire. How many more such tests are taxpayers going to pay for and to what end? […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Department of Education ‘cautiously optimistic” about latest federal law
On Thursday, President Barack Obama capped a years-long congressional negotiatoin when he signed the Every Student Succeeds Act, which is the new version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which was the new version of the No Child Left Behind Act. The new law gives states increased flexibility to design accountability systems, academic interventions […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine, Measured Progress sign $4 million contract for standardized tests
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Education announced Thursday it has agreed to a $4.16 million contract with a New Hampshire company that will develop online standardized tests for public school students in 2016. The contract with Measured Progress Inc. gives it the right to create math and English assessments for students required under state […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Faith Fontaine and Brent Bilodeau win Auburn School Committee seats
AUBURN — Incumbent Brent Bilodeau and Faith Fontaine won at-large seats on the School Committee in a four-way race Tuesday. Bilodeau and Fontaine beat John Carney and Lawrence Pelletier. Fontaine had 2,045 votes; Bilodeau had 1,406. The other committee seats were unopposed. Winning seats were Bonnie Hayes, Ward 2; Thomas Kendall, Ward 3; Tammy Neilson, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Education commish Tom Desjardin out with broken back
AUGUSTA — Maine Acting Commissioner of Education Tom Desjardin is recovering from a fall which broke his back, his office said Monday. Desjardin “did take a fall in his barn on Sept. 13, breaking a vertebrae in his back,” said Anne Gabbianelli, the department’s Director of Communications. Desjardin is recovering at home and doing well […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Councilors move trash education program forward
LEWISTON — Councilors won’t wait for new members to be seated to start an educational and promotional program designed to make sense of a pay-as-you-throw curbside trash collection system. A majority of councilors Tuesday agreed not to wait, despite cold feet for some. “Over the summer, all of us have heard from residents that there […]
Posted inNation / World
Feds OK teacher equity plans in Maine, 15 other states
WASHINGTON — To ensure all students, regardless of race, ethnicity or economic background, get equal access to the best teachers, Kentucky plans to enhance mentoring for new teachers. Massachusetts will seek to raise standards for teacher education programs, and Rhode Island and Nevada are looking at financial incentives to attract and retain teachers. The four […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Margaret Murphy Children’s Center files charter school application
PORTLAND — A Lewiston-Auburn group is one of four groups applying for the last three charter school slots in Maine. The Portland Press Herald reports that Acadia Academy in Lewiston-Auburn, Inspire ME Academy in York County, Peridot Montessori Education in Hancock County and Snow Pond Arts Academy in Sidney by Tuesday’s deadline. The Acadia Academy was proposed […]