We’re almost there!

The Legislature’s Education Committee is winding down its work this week, with final discussions on charter schools and other legislation set for Friday. The House and Senate will be working late for the next few weeks to pass a two-year budget and take final action on legislation. And next week I will make my next-to-last listening tour visit – this time to Washington County.

Things are racing to a crescendo here in Augusta, not to mention in your schools, where students, teachers and administrators are focused on a successful finish to the school year.

Soon we’ll have time to step back and focus. I’m looking forward to using the summer to review what we’ve heard from the field, from legislators, and from the public, then building consensus around a strategic plan to improve Maine education and the Department of Education.

For now, we take a deep breath and plunge in for the final lap.

— Stephen Bowen

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – May 19, 2011” →

It’s my hope that much of the mystery and fear about charter schools can be set aside during today’s public hearing on LD 1553, An Act To Create a Public Charter School Program in Maine. Charter schools are not private schools; they are not elitist or exclusive; they are not religious. In fact, charter schools today serve a more diverse population nationally than conventional public schools.

The vast majority of Maine students will continue to attend the public schools we have today. But I believe it’s time for Maine to provide parents and students the options that are available in almost every other state: school choice that includes charter schools. They are not a silver bullet that will solve all our education problems. But they are a promising reform that will give educators a model of schooling to work with that may allow them to be more innovative, and that may improve student outcomes for the students that attend them.

You can listen online to the hearing, which will begin shortly after 1 p.m. (The committee will first hold a hearing on LD 1540, An Act to Encourage Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education, which I am also supporting.)

— Stephen Bowen

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – May 12, 2011” →

There’s never a dull moment here at the Department of Education.

This week, bills seeking to expand school choice and overhaul the state school funding formula came up before the Legislature’s Education Committee. In this update, we begin to keep you apprised of the Department’s positions on such high-profile issues.

On top of that, it’s Teacher Appreciation week, so we’re busy recognizing the good work of our teachers.

We’ve heard positive comments from you on our efforts to communicate less often, but more effectively. Continue to let us know how we can do it better. And shoot us an email if you have an idea for a story you’d like to see featured in this publication.

— Stephen Bowen

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – May 5, 2011” →

We heard you. You want fewer communications from the Department of Education. You want shorter and clearer information. And you want some predictability about when you will receive it.

Each week, we’ll take the most recent Administrative Letters, news items and updates, and batch them into a weekly Commissioner’s Update for your convenience. Let us know what you think!

— Stephen Bowen

Continue reading “Commissioner’s Update – April 28, 2011” →

Commissioner’s Updates will begin in the next few weeks. They will include posts from Commissioner Bowen, recent press releases and news dispatches, and links to Administrative Letters. Subscribe now.