This is in response to a guest column by Richard Sabine, “Time to get tough with educators” (Feb. 15). He should be aware that social promotion is not up to the teachers’ discretion. Research shows that students who are retained are much more likely to drop out of high school than students who are socially […]
education
Posted inLetters
C. Dufresne: Producing successful students
I write in response to Richard Sabine’s guest column (Feb. 15). He may think he knows what he is talking about, but he has no clue what is causing public schools to “fail” students, and no idea how to fix it. He cites no research to validate any of his arguments. Here is what research […]
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Posted inLetters
In rebuttal, M. Kearney: Is he tough enough?
I write in response to Richard Sabine’s guest column (Feb. 15). As a teacher in Lewiston, I am deeply insulted. Sabine stated that “we” have failed to prepare our children. Did he include himself in that “we” he wrote about? He was quick to blame everyone with a hand in education, but what about himself? […]
Posted inLetters
In rebuttal, B. Webster: Schools cannot succeed alone
Richard Sabine’s column, “Time to get tough with educators” (Feb. 15), misses the mark. He gauges schools on one measure — a test taken a year ago on a Saturday — and he puts the entire onus on educators. There is no mention of the impact of poverty on many in our community or the […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Richard Sabine: Time to get tough with educators, starting with contract negotiations
Public education should prepare children for college, for employment and for adulthood. This noble intent is an adult responsibility, and we have failed. According to the latest Scholastic Aptitude Test results, less than half of the high school juniors, both Lewiston’s and Auburn’s, are proficient in math or reading; less than a third are proficient […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Maine’s new education boss visits old high school
AUBURN — Maine’s new acting education commissioner, Tom Desjardin, visited Edward Little High School on Wednesday, introducing himself to students as a former Red Eddie. He graduated in 1982, the same class as Auburn Schools Superintendent Katy Grondin. Meeting with students in the music room, Desjardin said his family is from Auburn. His sister still […]
Posted inLetters
J. Keenan: Changes needed in Auburn
Did any of the Auburn city officials learn to subtract in school? Four decades of population decline in Auburn; less and less students, year after year; yet in 2013 it took three times for voters to approve an honest School Department budget. Department officials cannot make a cut anywhere and the department sprints to the […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
UMaine chancellor explains vision for ‘mission-oriented’ campuses
BANGOR — The University of Maine System won’t do anything as dramatic as shutting down a campus to make itself fiscally sound, but it will change the focus of those institutions and force cooperation. System Chancellor James Page laid out a “rather complex set of high-level directives” aimed at breaking down barriers between the system’s […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Jaclyn Boyd: Government should not dictate if a child takes a test
I am going to share an insider secret about education in Maine — something schools and teachers are afraid to tell parents. Ready? No state law requires students to take standardized tests. This March, the Smarter Balanced exam begins for Maine students in grades 3-8 and 11. Parents might not recognize this test because the […]
Posted inSpecials
Family Perspective: The Lee family on catholic education, developing citizens for a better world
The Lee family has their beginning firmly rooted in Catholic education: Mark and Sandra met in 1985 while attending high school at what was then St. Dominic Regional High School. Although neither had attended Catholic elementary schools, both agreed, when the time came, a parochial education was the best choice for their daughters, Anya, now […]