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MACS Newsletter - April 2007

1. Maine Education Committee Gives Boost to Alternative Education Programs; Defeats Concept Draft for Charter Programs

At Thursday's work sessions, the Education Committee voted to approve LD 1758, "To Promote Alternative Schools within Existing School Systems," sponsored by Rep Roberta Muse (R, Fryeburg). The bill sets up a 13 member committee to study existing alternative education programs in Maine, and to research other models, the benefits of such programs, and funding sources for alternative education programs.

The Committee voted to table LD 1325, "To Ensure Adequate Funding for Students of Alternative Schools," sponsored by Rep Bob Walker (R, Lincolnville). The members were supportive of the intent of the proposal, but after considerable discussion, felt that time was needed to clarify key terms in the proposed bill.

LD 272, "To Create Charter Programs within Existing Schools," a concept draft sponsored by Rep Boyd Marley (D, Portland), was voted down after Co-Chair Jackie Norton (D, Bangor) indicated that Rep Marley had told her in the morning that he would support Rep. Muse's bill on alternative education programs. Due to conflicts with other committee work, Rep. Marley did not attend the work session. Senator Peter Mills (R, Cornville), indicated that although he was voting with the others against LD 272, a fully-developed bill to allow public charter schools in Maine had almost passed last term, and he wished to reserve time to discuss the charter school concept later in the work session.

During the discussion on LD 1758, Rep. Meredith Strang-Burgess (R, Cumberland), asked how the charter programs envisaged in LD 272 might be related to promoting alternative education programs. Rep Muse indicated that the study committee set up by LD 1758 could include consideration of charter programs as schools-within-schools, as a way to address the needs of students at-risk. The study committee's charge also includes research on local, state and federal funding sources for alternative education programs, and there are large grants available for public charter schools through the federal Charter School Grant Program. The study committee's report is due in December 2007, and the committee is empowered to recommend legislation to the Education Committee for consideration in 2008.

FMI about alternative education programs, contact Shelley Reed, Director of the Department of Education's Office of Truancy, Dropouts, Alternative Education, Homeless Youth; shelley.reed@maine.gov; www.maine.gov/education/tdae/index.htm.

2. National Charter Schools Week is April 30-May 4.

Following on the heels of the 8th annual National Charter Schools Conference in Albequerque, NM, 4,000 public charter schools in 40 other states will celebrate their successes during National Charter Schools Week. FMI, see www.publiccharters.org.

3. Maine Events this week and next:
a. By a nice coincidence, Bowdoin college students who have been developing proposals for an innovative public charter high school will present their visions on Monday, April 30. It's always exciting to hear the student presentations. Open to the public, the presentations will be from 6-9 pm in room 107 of Kanbar Hall on the Bowdoin campus in Brunswick. FMI, contact Professor Susan Aldridge, saldridg@bowdoin.edu.

b. The next MACS meeting will be Wednesday, May 9, 5-7 pm, at the Mediation Center, 11 King Street, Augusta. For directions, call 763-3576.
Please join us to discuss strategies for promoting public school choice and public charter schools in Maine. It's clear that few on the Education Committee are willing to empower parents to choose the public school program most appropriate for each child. The majority are looking at limited proposals for schools-within-schools and alternative programs that are rarely open by choice but rather admit students who have already failed. How do we expand our grass-roots efforts in inform Mainers that they should and can have more public school options? Suggestions are most welcome.

 

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