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MACS NEWS - January 2010
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for our latest Newsletter which now comes via Constant Contact in
a new format - Check it out & Subscribe if you wish! |
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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 Gubinatorial statements on charter schools, follow this link:
http://augustainsider.us/gubnernatorialcharterschools/.
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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. |
Looking Ahead...
National Charter School
2010
Conference
Chicago
June 28 to July 1
Key
Note Speaker - Bill Gates |
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
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LD 1658 targets Drop Out Problem
The Education
Committee recently held a 2 1/2 hour public hearing on LD 1658, a
bill sponsored by Committee Co-Chair Senator Justin Alfond focused
on improving graduation rates and drop-out prevention.
We will keep a
close eye on this and a companion bill, LD 1703, concerning the
recommendations of the Juvenile Justice Task force, as they are
finally tackling issues MACS has been raising for years. |
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 |
New Innovative Schools?
Though Governor Baldacci announced that he won't
introduce enabling legislation for charter schools during the
current session, he did say that he will submit a bill expanding
public school options by encouraging innovative, open-enrollment
programs as part of the state's application for a Race to the Top
grant.
We are awaiting the details being worked out in the
Dept. of Education and hope this effort might lead to meaningful
public school options.
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ACTION ALERT - All Hands on Deck!
Governor Baldacci Needs to
Change Course!
We need you to
take five minutes and send a clear message to Governor Baldacci
ASAP to change his mind.
Please Click Here for More Information
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MACS
Press Release
November 17, 2009
Maine Commissioner of Education
Susan Gendron announced on Nov. 17 that Governor Baldacci will not
introduce a bill to allow public charter schools during the 2010
legislative session. Many Maine families and educators look to
public charter schools to bring more innovation and more options
to Maine's public education system.
The Governor’s decision dashes
their hopes, and also risks Maine’s access to millions of dollars
in federal grants for public education during a time of
increasingly severe budget shortfalls.
Click Here for the Rest of our Press Release
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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
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MACS is
now on
Facebook!
Friends & Fans -
Click here!
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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
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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
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