On Wednesday, Gov. Paul LePage diagrammed his remedial “ABC” plan to improve schools. The plan, as envisioned, will: A) Improve Accountability. B) Borrow Best practices from other states. C) Expand school Choice. If we had an opportunity for multiple choice, we’d select and completely support A and B, but we’d hesitate on C. Improving accountability […]
education
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine ranks 13th in Kids Count report
AUGUSTA — Maine ranks 13th among the states in a report measuring how well children are doing in health, education and family life. The Kids Count report released Wednesday shows improvement in Maine in some areas but slips in others, judging by latest data available. New Hampshire wound up as the top-ranked state, followed by […]
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Posted inOur View
Report shows Maine lags in student scores
Critics may quibble about the details, but Gov. Paul LePage’s characterization of a recent Harvard study is correct: Maine’s investment in educational improvement is paying “pathetic” returns. A close reading of the study — Achievement Growth: International and U.S. State Trends in Student Performance — shows the governor isn’t exaggerating. What we are doing is […]
Posted inMaine
LePage: Harvard study shows Maine failing at public education
AUGUSTA — Maine officials say a new Harvard study ranking Maine near the bottom for improvement of student test scores serves as a wake-up call that more must be done to improve public schools. The study, “Achievement Growth: International and U.S. State Trends in Student Performance,” put Maine second from the bottom among states for test […]
Posted inOp-Eds
Roger Rosenkrantz: Every child left behind
While diagnoses differ, there is general agreement that “No Child Left Behind” — the national effort to raise all students to proficiency in reading, writing and math — has been an abject failure. Waivers are now being given to states and the original goal has been declared “unrealistic.” But is it so unrealistic to expect […]
Posted inLetters
A. Pelletier: NY state of mind
I have written several letters to the editor about my opposition to laptops for youngsters in the public schools paid for by the taxpayers; now here you go. I just saw a report about a school in Harlem, N.Y., called the Harlem Village Academy. The kids in that school are about the brightest in the […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
SAD 52 residents endorse lower school budget
TURNER — Fifty-one residents of Greene, Leeds and Turner took less than 40 minutes Tuesday night to endorse the revised budget proposed by the SAD 52 board. The $23,112,515 spending package is $85,195 less than the original proposal that was rejected May 8. Article 17 regarding local additional funds passed by written ballot, 47-4. The […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine education commissioner’s goals happening two years ahead of him in Gray
GRAY, Maine — A cutting-edge education experiment at Gray-New Gloucester Middle School could become the norm in Maine if Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen has his way. On any given day, students from as many as three grades can be found studying together in the same classroom. Instead of letter grades, student performance is based on […]
Posted inOxford Hills, sj-web
Gould Academy graduates 79
BETHEL — Gould Academy presented diplomas to 79 seniors at its 176th commencement exercises on Saturday, May 26. Led by bagpiper and Gould alumna Hillary Hough ’07, speakers, faculty and graduating seniors made their way from Hanscom Hall and across Alumni Field where several hundred family and friends gathered under the tent to celebrate the Class […]
Posted inConnections
SeniorsPlus announces education classes for June
LEWISTON — SeniorsPlus, area agency on aging, offers free (unless noted) classes for the older adult learner. The classes are designed to help people make informed choices about aging well, living independently and doing it safely. Classes for June include: All About Cataracts: Friday, June 8, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Dr. Kenneth Wolf. What […]