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Thank you for your interest in
Public Charter School Options for
Maine Children

*Upcoming Events*
March 18	The next MACS Meeting in Augusta will be held on Tuesday, March 18 from 6-8 p.m. at the Mediation Center, 11 King Street, Augusta. FMI, call 763-3576.
June 22-25	National Charter Schools Conference, New Orleans. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will host the 2008 National Charter Schools Conference from June 22-25 in New Orleans, LA. Register at www.nationalcharterconference.org. The conference is the largest gathering of charter school operators and proponents in the nation. Attendees will learn and share best practices, discuss national and state policy issues, have the opportunity to volunteer at local charter schools, and enjoy special events featuring New Orleans traditions, food and music! Call 206-463-3344 or e-mail nationalconference@publiccharters.org.
*Click Here for More Information on Upcoming Events*

* The Legislature's Alternative Education Committee - Final Report

Get Maine Students out of their BOXES!
Click Here for MAC's Handout at the Juice Conference

Charter Schools could Fuel the Creative Economy
with Creative Workers!

MACS is actively seeking financial contributions to fund our activities in support of public school options for Maine children. Please consider helping with our current campaign, and Click Here for more information.

Click Here: for Recent Stories on the Success of Public School Options in Other States!

Is Maine's Graduation Rate Inflated?
What is it, really.
Click on "Maine's Need" on the left sidebar for two reports.


Please Note: Maine is one of only 10 states without public charter schools Maine children are certainly missing out! Another legislative season is underway, but rather than promote a bill, MACS is using the time to further educate citizens and policy makers about the importance of: 1) charter schools as a vehicle for public school choice. 2) charter schools as a vehicle for public school improvement. 3) related concepts such as funding the child's education, not the system.
*MACS Meetings*	Usually 6-8 pm the 2nd Wednesday of each month, however we change to other days and times occasionally to accommodate those members and guests unable to come on Wednesdays. The Next Meeting will be 6-8 pm on Tuesday, March 18 Click FMI
Maine Newspapers Support Public Charter Schools:
	The Portland Press Herald Editorial - 2/11/06
	The Bangor Daily News Editorial - 3/14/06

3 New Hampshire Charter Schools Approved
A small rural school that closed last year has re-opened as a public charter school.

From the National Scene:

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

To contact MACS: macs@mainecharterschools.org

July 23 & 24 - Univ. of Maine Workshops on At-risk Students & Alternative Education, University of Maine, Orono.
FMI, www.umaine.edu/issar/dpg.htm

Thursday, July 26 - Public School Choice & Public Charter Schools Networking Luncheon
Education Law Conference, University of Southern Maine.
12:30 to 1:30 pm, Talbot Lecture Hall

Note. You don't have to register for the conference to attend, but you do have to reserve a place. Cost is $10 per person, payable to MACS at the lunch. To register, please email macs@mainecharterschools.org or call Dr. Judith Jones at 763-3576 by Tuesday, July 23rd.

July 24-27 - Education Law Conference, USM, Portland, FMI, www.edlaw.org.

Fifty small workshops for educators and policy makers at all levels-nationally known experts on topics including special ed, school reform, closing the achievement gap, charter schools, First Amendment rights, & halting harassment.

Keynote speakers: USDOE Undersecretary Morgan Brown on Strategic Support for Innovation, Alliance for Excellent Education President Governor Wise on Making Education Work, Ed-Trust's Paul Ruiz on No Time to Waste, Russ Quaglia on Achievement and Aspiration; & Federal Judge Morrison England on Education Equity.

Plus full-day strand, national experts on autism.
Scholarships are readily available for Maine residents.

July 31 -- Tuesday, 12:00 P.M. - School choice Movement in Maine & Nationally - The Maine Heritage Policy Center in conjunction with the Milton & Rose D. Friedman Foundation, will host a special event to celebrate what would have been Dr. Friedman’s 95th birthday. The event will be focused on the school choice movement in Maine and nationally. The event will be held at the Portland Regional Chamber, 60 Pearl Street.

　Speakers: Steve Bowen, Adjunct Scholar, The Maine Heritage Policy Center. If you will be attending, please RSVP by July 25 by either calling 321-2550 or by sending an e-mail to hnoyes@mainepolicy.org.