NEW SCHOOL EVALUATION MEASURE RECEIVES STRONG PUBLIC ENDORSEMENT
Senator Millett sponsors bill to create an informative and accurate evaluation system for Maine schools AUGUSTA- A measure that outlines a fair system to evaluate Maine schools received a public hearing this week by the state’s education committee. The evaluation measure is intended to replace the flawed school “grading system” implemented by the LePage administration...
DEMOCRATS PRAISE TEACHERS
Pass Joint Resolution in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day AUGUSTA- Earlier today, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Day, the Senate and House unanimously passed a Joint Resolution in support of Maine’s teachers. “While we should celebrate our teachers every day, it’s nice to have a special day devoted to honoring and thanking our teachers for...
MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING
MEASURE TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD USE RECEIVES PUBLIC HEARING Bill will help schools, others use Maine produced food AUGUSTA— Senator Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) is introducing a bill today that will make it easier for Maine schools to use locally produced foods. “Maine produced foods are healthy and tasty, and using them in our schools helps...
LePage Education Budget Rejected by Democratic Lawmakers
AUGUSTA—Senate Democratic lawmakers released the following comments after the state’s education committee rejected key initiatives of Governor Paul LePage’s $6.3 billion budget, which included a $39 million reduction in school funding over the next two years. “Education is not a partisan issue; we all agree that it is a priority for our state....
A-F GRADING SYSTEM GETS “F” FROM DEMOCRATS
System emblazons ‘Scarlet Letter’ on public schools AUGUSTA – Democrats on the state’s education committee are deeply concerned over the LePage administration’s new school “reform” measure that assigns a letter grade of “A” through “F” to Maine’s public schools. “This is a plan out of left field. Grades like these are shaming and...
Weekly Radio Address: Alfond says “Putting Students First” Means Strengthening Public Education, Not Undermining & Underfunding
Weekly Radio Address: Sen. Justin Alfond 9-22-12 Good Morning. This is State Senator Justin Alfond, the Assistant Senate Democratic Leader. Today is the first day of Autumn. Kids have been back to school for a few weeks now—and students, teachers and parents alike are just about settled in to their new schedules. This...
BDN: Senate confirms Beardsley, despite Carlson controversy
Bangor Daily News By Whit Richardson, BDN Staff AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of William Beardsley to the state Board of Education. It was a party-line vote, with 18 Republican senators and one unenrolled senator voting in support of Beardsley’s nomination, and 13 Democrats voting in opposition. Three senators...
PPH: After bitter exchanges, Maine Republicans confirm Beardsley
Republicans denounce Democrat ‘attacks’ on the Board of Education nominee over his dealing with a Husson chaplain accused of child sex abuse. Portland Press Herald By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer AUGUSTA — After a bitter floor fight over Bill Beardsley’s handling of sexual abuse allegations against a chaplain, the Maine Senate confirmed the former Husson...
KJ: Beardsley nears Board of Education post approval
Kennebec Journal By Steve Mistler, Staff Writer AUGUSTA — Outgoing Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley moved one step closer to his new post with the state Board of Education on Wednesday. Members of the Legislature’s Education Committee approved Beardsley’s nomination, 6-4, during a relatively brisk confirmation hearing. Lawmakers asked a handful of questions about Beardsley’s...
BDN: Superintendents criticize education commissioner’s student transfer philosophy
Bangor Daily News By Stephen Betts, BDN Staff Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen’s practice of allowing students to transfer from one school district to another without a change of residence is drawing opposition from school superintendents around the state. Some superintendents say the easy transfers are destroying local control and could add significant costs to...
BDN: State seeks relief from No Child Left Behind
Bangor Daily News By Robert Long, BDN Staff AUGUSTA, Maine — Local involvement and the premise that rewarding progress works better as a learning tool than punishing failure guide the latest move to reform public education in Maine. The effort enters a new phase Sept. 6 when the Maine Department of Education submits a...
BEARDSLEY CONFIRMED TO A TOP EDUCATIONAL POST DESPITE DEMOCRATS’ CONCERNS
Questions remain about Beardsley’s knowledge of sex abuse case during tenure as university president AUGUSTA—Maine Senate Democrats voted against the nomination of Bill Beardsley to the State Board of Education. At issue is Beardsley’s handling of sexual abuse allegations against Rev. Bob Carlson, a former chaplain at Husson University, where Beardsley served as...
