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Fast Facts
Interesting facts and quotes about Association membership and public education in Maine and beyond. Have an idea or stat you want shared? Send it along with your name and local to gbechard@maineea.org
“But I do ask myself, the question ‘Why are we testing students in grades 3-8 two hours longer than grade 11?’ I respectfully ask you to be patient with us and recommend to your children that they participate to the best of their ability in the assessment. At the same time I strongly request that you contact your legislator to voice that this issue has not been solved satisfactorily and needs to be monitored and reviewed. Our apathy will only prolong our agony.” - Paul Pezanoski, Superintendent of Schools, Brunswick in
“How can we make sure that education is no longer likened to a fictional city in need of a masked crime fighter? Policymakers at all levels must commit themselves to creating systems that attract and retain great teachers. By investing in and supporting teachers at all stages of their careers, we can put the myth of the lone superhero teacher to rest and set about creating real change for teachers and students.” - Lisette Partelow,
article in U.S. News and World Report titled Misplacing Hope in Hero Teachers
a letter to parents regarding the new Maine Educational Assessment testing window opened in March
$
15
Million
The amount of money lawmakers and the governor agreed to add to the education budget for the 2016-17 school year
$
1.2
Billion
The amount of money the state has now fallen short in education funding, since 2008, due to the lack of providing the 55% level of funding, as mandated by voters more than a decade ago. In the next school year the state will only be paying 48.1% of education costs.
117
Number of districts that will still see a cut in the state share of school funding in the next school year, even with the additional $15 million
“The duty of commissioner of education is a full-time job, the deputy commissioner is also a full-time job,” Lois Kilby-Chesley, president of the Maine Education Association, said in a written statement. “To not appoint a commissioner to the Department of Education is a disservice to Maine students who deserve better. Maine students deserve a full-time commissioner who is devoted to public schools and students, and who is knowledgeable in education policy and law. The MEA maintains its extreme concern over the lack of seriousness Gov. LePage is taking with the appointment of the commissioner of education.” - Portland Press Herald in response to the Governor announcing he would assume the role of the Commissioner of Education. “This is also a good week for celebrating the ‘lunch ladies’ (like I used to be) who make school meals possible. Schools would shut down without the food service personnel and other Educational Support Professionals who are committed to the success of every student.”- Lily Eskelsen García,
President of the National Education Association, sharing her thoughts on National School Breakfast Week
16
Maine Educator • April 2016
“It’s unreasonable to think yet another commission looking into the funding formula will discover anything different. If schools have insufficient resources, it’s due to overall funding levels—which have never reached the 55 percent prescribed in law— and how they’re deploying their resources.”- Bangor Daily News Editorial Board on the newly established Blue Ribbon Commission to study the school funding formula. The Commission establishment was part of the deal that provided additional funding to schools next year.
