Education: June 2009 Archives

What is Maine's reputation as a result of the legislature's continuing refusal to enact charter school legislation in the face of demands from Washington that it do so?

The new issue of Education Week, the nation's "paper of record" on education issues, features an article on how the Obama administration's push for charters seems to be resulting in real reforms -- in states other than Maine.

The paper observes that Illinois recently raised its charter cap in response to pressure from the Obama team, and that Boston Mayor Tom Menino, who "has been skeptical of charters for years, suddenly shifted positions last week to say he favors turning the city's low-performing schools into charters."

Then there is this paragraph:

And in Maine, where charter advocates have failed for years to enact a law to allow the schools to operate, lawmakers last week defeated a measure to allow the first 10 charters to open. That action took place on the same day that Mr. Duncan, in a press release and a conference call with reporters, singled the state out as one that would likely be at the back of the line for Race to the Top funds.

Ugh. What a disgrace.

Even here in Maine, the Kennebec Journal excoriated lawmakers for their failure to enact charters:

Lawmakers weren't interested in innovation when it came to charter schools, however, and continued their stubborn refusal to allow this form of public school to operate in the state. It was a classic case of ignoring their real constituents and bowing to interest groups -- teacher unions and principals -- who feel threatened by the nontraditional institutions.

So, in an era in which a new president calls for innovation and change, Maine continues to resist such moves. It will be interesting to see Washington's reaction, but my guess is it will not be good.

And why should it?

On the same day that the Maine Senate killed the charter school bill for good, the U.S. Department of Education identified Maine, by name, as one of the states that "will jeopardize their applications under the Race to the Top Fund" as a consequence of its failure to support charter schools.

The Department's press release, which can be found here, states that "a network of innovative and high-achieving charter schools can be an important part of a state's school reform effort. However, charter schools are facing significant obstacles to expansion in too many states.

For example:

• Ten states do not have laws allowing public charter schools;
• In the 40 states with charters, 26 put artificial caps on the number of public charter schools and President Obama has called on states to lift these caps and other barriers to having a healthy network of charter schools throughout the country;
• In Maine, the state legislature is debating a bill that would establish a pilot program for its first 10 charter schools;
• Tennessee has not moved on a bill to lift enrollment restrictions on charter schools; and
• In Indiana, the legislature is considering a moratorium on new charter schools."

"These actions," the Department concludes, "are restricting reforms, limiting choices for parents and students, and denying children access to new high-quality instruction." 

Despite this shot over the bow from Washington, the Maine Senate voted on Monday to "adhere" to its vote, last Thursday, against charter schools. The roll-call vote is available here, a vote of yes is a vote against charter schools. The bill is now dead.

So, Maine, with its motto of Dirigo (I Lead), leads the nation yet again, this time for being one of the last states in the nation that continues to outlaw charter schools, in defiance of calls from Washington to do otherwise. As a consequence, Maine will almost certainly find itself out of the running as Secretary of Education Arne Duncan looks for states in which to invest the almost $5 billion in innovation funding he has at his disposal.

Mainers can't be bought, Mr. Secretary!  Nor will they be cowed by harsh words from Washington!

We'll show you! We will continue to maintain the status quo, continue to resist calls to innovate, continue to spend more per-pupil than most states to buy mediocre results, continue to trail the nation in student achievement and degree attainment, and continue to watch, unmoved, as a steady stream of young families leaves our state for opportunities elsewhere.

Take that, Washington!

Miracle of miracles, the charter school bill, all but dead after a loss in the Senate, won passage in the House yesterday by a narrow vote. The bill will likely be taken up by the Senate on Monday.

Whose votes will carry a great deal of weight in the Senate on Monday? A good place to start would be with the five Senate Republicans who did not support the bill Thursday:

Senator Davis, from Falmouth

Senator McCormick, from West Gardiner

Senator Raye, from Perry

Senator Sherman, from Houlton
 
Senator Trahan, from Waldoboro

If those five vote for the bill and the other Senate votes remain the same, the bill will prevail in the Senate and, if the vote holds in the House,  the charter school bill will head to the governor, who supports it.

Supporters of charter schools need to be active this weekend. Word on the street is that the Maine Education Association has already sent some kind of action alert to its membership, encouraging them to contact legislators in order to urge a vote against the charter school bill.

Charter school supporters should make their voices heard as well, as the decisive Senate vote on the bill could come as soon as Monday.

Visit the legislature's website to find out how to contact legislators, including the five listed above, and tell them we need charter schools in Maine.

Whether Maine will have charter schools or not will be decided within the next couple of days, and by a handful of votes. EVERY VOTE MATTERS!

The most recent in a long series of bills put forward over the years to enact charter schools in Maine has failed passage in the Senate this afternoon by a vote of 22 to 13. I anticipated a week or two back that, with only one Democrat supporting the measure and a number of Republicans opposed, the bill stood no chance.

As it turns out, three Democrats supported the charter school bill, (Damon, Brannigan, and Bowman) which would have been enough to save it had the five Republicans who voted against the bill (Davis, McCormick, Raye, Sherman, and Trahan) supported it.

Just as they did three years ago, the Republicans have prevented Maine from enacting charter schools.

Let me say that again. We don't have charter schools today because of Republicans in the legislature three years ago, and Republicans killed yet another charter school bill this afternoon.

Amazing.

What is there to say that has not been said already? This is a sad day for Maine's kids, and a sad day as well, it is important to say, for the dedicated and hard working teachers and administrators across Maine who are trapped in a dysfunctional system which stifles creativity, rewards mediocrity, and tolerates failure. Our schools are not doing fine, Sen. Simpson, they are manifestly failing the one out of every four students that drops out of school before receiving a diploma, and they are ill-serving thousands more.

A slender reed of hope remains that mounting pressure form Washington will compel action on this issue at a later date, but until then the work of educating policymakers (Republicans especially, it seems) and the public as to why our schools need to be far better than they are and of rallying Maine people to cause of meaningful reform continues...