SAD 44 directors Monday approved up to $40,000 in federal technology funds to buy iPads for all kindergarteners in the district for next year. The decision follows a presentation by SAD 44 kindergarten teachers on iPads at the March 26 board meeting. iPads in the kindergarten classroom allow youngsters to create their own stories, teach […]
education
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn taxpayer group to meet with school superintendent
AUBURN — Auburn residents are invited to meet with School Superintendent Katy Grondin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Rolly’s Diner. The meeting is facilitated by the United New Auburn Association taxpayer group. UNNA President Leroy Walker, also a city councilor, said people want to hear Grondin’s thoughts on the proposed new Edward Little […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine to expand online AP course offerings
PORTLAND (AP) — Maine is increasing funding and expanding offerings for a program that provides free online Advanced Placement courses to students who can’t get them at their local high school. There are currently about 200 students taking 17 courses in Maine’s AP4ALL program. The Portland Press Herald reported that for the 2013-2014 academic year, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage opens education summit as critics speak up
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage’s Putting Students First education summit kicked off Friday morning with strong cases made for student choice, which were appreciated by some in the audience but attacked by some of the state’s education associations. LePage opened the conference by relating his own education story, which included learning English beginning at age […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage defends his education budget
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage is defending his education funding after harsh criticism by teachers and school administrators. LePage said Tuesday his two-year budget that provides about $84 million more in state funding to schools compared to the education budget when he took office. He says decreases in education funding come from the loss of […]
Posted inLetters
P. Malcolm: Don’t be too quick
Concerning the proposal to replace laptops with iPads in middle schools (Sun Journal, March 14): We shouldn’t be too quick to replace laptops. As useful as it is, and as user friendly, an iPad is not yet an actual computer. For one thing, there is no keyboard, which teaches valuable composition and navigation skills. For […]
Posted inBusiness, Maine, sj-web
Maine’s laptop contract to be available to other states
PORTLAND — The only state to provide laptops to public school students statewide said Thursday the contract it’s negotiating for new devices can be used by other states if they’re interested in following suit. Maine has zeroed in on five different laptops and tablets as it prepares to replace more than 35,000 Apple laptops in middle […]
Posted inLetters
G. Chateauvert: Put people before politics
This letter is in response to Jim Harwood’s letter of Feb. 5. In it, he asked, “Why every time Augusta cuts, it’s always the poor, the elderly and education?” It is because the state can only cut what it actually funds. People who take care of themselves don’t get state aid. Wealthy people don’t worry […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage stacks March 22 education summit with national speakers
AUGUSTA — School choice and education reforms championed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will get top billing later this month at an education summit set up by Gov. Paul LePage. The summit, promised by LePage during his State of the State Address, will feature speakers from all over the country, according to new details […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Student restraint compromise backed
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Legislature’s Education Committee has voted to back a compromise reached by teachers, parents and disability rights groups on how much leeway teachers have in physically managing a disruptive student. A rule that took effect this school year said Maine teachers couldn’t use physical restraint unless the student or teacher was […]