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MACS Newsletter - May 2007

1. Legislative Update

The Education Committee considered two bills that would assist alternative education programs. They approved LD 1758, which authorizes a survey and study of alternative education approaches. They voted down LD 1325, which aimed to ensure that funds would follow students who attend alternative public and private programs with their superintendent’s approval. Rep. Boyd Marley’s bill, LD 272, a weak concept draft about charter programs, was also defeated.

Part of the charge of the LD 1758 study committee is to review approaches to alternative education in other states and to research sources of funding. Those investigations should bring attention to public charter schools as models and as sources of federal grant funds. LD 1758 empowers the Education Committee to introduce new legislation in January 2008, so the Committee could include some form of the public charter school model in its proposals. Those interested in volunteering to help with the study should contact Shelley Reed, shelley.reed@maine.gov.

2. Expanding public awareness about public school options

Supporters are encouraged to work with other groups around the state to get out the word about the benefits of public school options, especially their ability to empower poor parents to access education programs that meet the needs of their children. Contact MACS with suggestions and for information that can be distributed.

For example, MACS provided information on the importance of public school choices at the Kids Legal Conference in Augusta on May 17. Over 150 people heard excellent presentations on special education issues, students’ rights to school access, and a panel on alternative education programs. Presenters included long-time Maine educators trying to reach students at-risk: Pender Kimball of the Real School of Windham, Alan Morris of the Carletonn Project in Presque Isle and Houlton, Helen Nichols of BCOPE in Belfast and now Director of the Community School in Camden. More information about alternative approaches will be presented at the Dropout Prevention Institute at UMaine Orono July 23-24.

The EdLaw Conference in Portland July 24-25 will have sessions on innovation and public charter schools. Scholarships are available to Maine residents; see www.edlaw.org

3. Proposal for a “Design Your Dream School” Festival

MACS would like to organize a festival for students to present designs for their “dream school.” There would be two divisions - for high school and college students, and two models to select from - a public charter school or a within-a-district school. MACS would set parameters for each model, advertise around the state to get participants, faculty team advisors, evaluators, and organize a festival day for presentations.

We need some experienced organizers to help with this project. We’ll look for grants to help out and try to partner with other organizations. Such an event would be helpful to potential charter school organizers, authorizers and the Department of Education, to expand their understanding of student needs and public school options.

4. National Progress on Public Charter Schools

During the 2006-2007 school year, the number of charter schools increased by 11 percent: 3,940 charter schools represent an increase of 323 from last year. A total of 1,156,874 students are enrolled in charter schools in the United States this school year, up 7.4 percent from last year's 1,076,964. They serve a student body that is on average 53 percent minority and 54 percent low-income, and more than four in ten public charter schools serve a student body composed of 60 percent or more "at risk" and/or minority students. FMI, see www.edreform.com and www.uscharterschools.org.

5. NEXT MACS MEETING: June 20, 2007, in Portland,
The Family Workshop, 215 Congress Street.

Directions: From I-295, take Exit 7 - Franklin Arterial. At about the fourth light, turn left on Congress Street. The Family Workshop is on the left immediately after the second light at Washington Avenue.　

Please join us! Draft agenda items: Our vice president and treasurer, Bob Summers, is taking a leave of absence to work in Peru for a year. We have nominated Laura Friedman as treasurer, and we are also looking for a secretary, newsletter editor, and database manager. We will also need volunteers to help develop the “Dream School Festival.” Please contact Judith if you would like to get involved in any of these efforts!

Thank you for your interest in public school options and public chartered schools!

If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, please send an email to macs@mainecharterschools.org with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

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To contact MACS: macs@mainecharterschools.org