ABC's of Charter

Maine's Need

Legislation

Get Involved!

Charter Schools

Related Issues

Donate

About MACS

Newsletter

Briefing Book for Legislators
Click Here

MACS NEWS - January 2010

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 Gubinatorial 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.


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


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. 


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


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
 


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