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          » MACS'  June Newsletter


Candidates for Governor

What are their positions on bringing Charter Schools to Maine?

Click here for Campaign Quotes


2010 National Charter School

 Conference

Chicago - June 28 to July 1

 

Key Note Speakers:
Bill Gates
Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Reed Hastings
Founder, Chairman & CEO NetFlix

Arne Duncan
U.S. Secretary of Education

Joe Scarborough
Host, MSNBC's Morning Joe
 

Click Here for more information


Inequity Persists in Charter School Funding

A new report just released by Ball State University details an average 19.2 percent disparity in funding between charter and other public schools – a gap that grows to more than 27 percent in 40 cities where most charters are located.  

Click Here for the full report


Free to Lead: Autonomy in Highly Successful Charter Schools

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools' latest issue brief identifies seven distinct ways autonomy impacts operational and academic performance at five highly successful charter schools.

Click Here to Read More


National Charter School Week
May 3-7

     While 40 other states celebrate the success of their charter schools, Maine policymakers continues to claim Maine doesn't need this proven model of "innovative" schools.
     MACS was represented in Washington, D.C. during celebrations courtesy of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, along with State Leaders of Charter School Support Organizations. 
     Director Roger Brainerd and Board Chair Judith Jones met with Maine's Congressional Delegation on Capital Hill, to discuss upcoming federal appropriations for the U.S. Charter School Program, and how we can work together to bring some of that money home to Maine.

Click Here for MACS' Press Release


Disturbing Data
from the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education
in their February report to the State Board of Education, "Education is Job #1".

Click Here for MACS' reaction


Teachers Union Chokes Off School Reform

by Rep. Richard Cebra, R. Naples in "As Maine Goes"

Click Here for a "no holds barred" explanation of why we still don't have charter schools in Maine.


 "Administration's School Reform Bills Fail to Innovate Maine Schools"

The Maine Heritage Policy Center is critical of Proposed Race to the Top Legislation

Click Here to Read their Press Release


MACS NEWS

Click Here for our latest Newsletter which now comes via Constant Contact in a new format - Check it out & Subscribe if you wish!


The Race-2-Augusta

Most candidates for governor support charter schools!  MACS will offer all candidates for office information on charter schools, and will work with those who will carry our torch in the upcoming political dialog.
For Gubernatorial statements on charter schools, follow this link:
http://augustainsider.us/gubnernatorialcharterschools/.


Congressional Action

 Congress has approved a $40 million increase in the federal Charter School Grant Program, for a total of $256 million for this year.
 Congressman Jared Polis of Colorado has introduced the All-STAR Act, H.R. 4330, that would support increased funding for successful charter schools and expand flexibility in using federal funds.
  The role of charter school authorizers has been enhanced through Congressional legislation that adds three new eligibility criteria to the Charter School Grant Program.


FUNDING for AUTHORIZERS! 

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers has established the Fund for Authorizing Excellence to award grants to improve the work of authorizers. 

FMI, see www.publiccharters.org and www.qualitycharters.org


PORTLAND PRESS HERALD

 Tuesday, November 17, 2009

 Baldacci won't sponsor charter school bill

Submitted by Matthew Stone on Tue, 11/17/2009 - 10:13

Click Here for the Artlcle


Media Support:

 Kennebec Journal Article

   Nov 10 -  Maine faulted for lacking education innovations

 Portland Press Herald Editorials

   Nov. 3 - Charter schools should be part of dropout debate

   Oct. 17 - Charter schools deserve another look from state


MACS is now on Facebook!

Friends & Fans - Click here!


Meanwhile ...

To learn about charter schools, please

¬ check out our links top left.  For news of our recent past, please Click Here

 To Contact MACS: macs@mainecharterschools.org


Did You Know?

Twice as many registered voters favor charter schools as oppose them. The more people learn about charter schools, the more they like them.

Source: State of the Charter School Movement 2005