School choice has always been an option for some Maine students, but we’re getting closer and closer to offering choice to all our kids—enabling them to take charge of their own learning.
The school choice work group met for the second time Monday to continue its work on a publicly funded school choice model.
When the Governor proposed school choice to the Legislature last year, we knew we had a lot of kinks to work out. The model we are currently reviewing would allow districts to elect to participate in an open-enrollment program—meaning students from any district could apply to an open-enrollment school located anywhere in the state. The group is still discussing details related to transportation and funding, but the group intends to propose a thorough model to policymakers come January.
— Stephen Bowen
ACTION ITEMS
Administrative Letters
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Reporting
Please note: We generally provide notice of requirements only once. Please check the Reporting Calendar (link below) regularly for a list of ALL upcoming items.
- Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Validation 2011-12, due Oct. 31
NEWS & VIEWS
Harvest Lunch Week a trend at Brooklin School
During Harvest Lunch Week, schools statewide are encouraged to incorporate Maine-made ingredients into their lunch menus. But at the Brooklin School in Hancock County, Harvest Lunch Week is nothing out of the ordinary – cook Lori Boyce serves local food every day of the year. | More | From garden to table at Mount Desert Elem. | Houlton students harvest 400 ears of corn
Maine’s first two charter schools open doors
AUGUSTA – The Maine Academy of Natural Sciences (MeANS) and Cornville Regional Charter School opened as Maine’s first two public charter schools Monday, providing new choices for Maine students. | More
International exchange and research opportunities for classroom teachers
Grants are available for educators to participate in international exchanges and research during the 2013-14 academic year through the Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange Program and the Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching Program. | More
Grant to help Maine schools develop teacher, leader evaluation systems
AUGUSTA – Seventeen Maine schools will share a nearly $25 million grant to build systems that recognize and reward great teachers and school leaders. | More
More News & Views
- Upcoming conference for social studies teachers
- Training for those helping youth transition from detention facilities