AUGUSTA, Maine — The newly formed Maine State Charter School Commission is taking to the road to hear the public’s ideas on what they want to see in a charter school.
The commission can authorize up to 10 public charter schools during the first decade of Maine’s charter school law, which was authorized by the Legislature last year. Local schools boards can also authorize additional charter schools.
The seven-member commission has scheduled public meetings in Portland on March 1, in Bangor on March 8 and in Augusta on March 15. Details are available on the commission website, http://www.maine.gov/education/charterschools/commission.html.
Charter schools receive public funds but are operated independently of the traditional public school system. They have more flexibility than traditional public schools over decisions concerning curriculum and instruction, scheduling, staffing and finance.
Maine charter school panel seeking public feedback
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Just give us the test results to show us whether taking all that money out of our public schools to begin or build new schools has been cost effective. Taken as a whole the results across the country thus far would indicate that charters (Especially those in rural areas) are a mistake. Some of the most successful charters are those who educate AND board their students. Hmm…what does that indicate?
Not just test results. Let’s make sure that if any charter is found to be kicking out more students than the public schools (in terms of a percentage) or having fewer SPED students then they receive no funding at all and their charter is revoked immediately.
Charter schools are a mistake. Support public education.
Public schools are controlled by the MEA/NEA. Charter schools are controlled by the parents.
Charter Schools are controlled by the private corporate boards. They are even less responsive to parent and student needs than public schools.
Charter schools are stealing Tax Payer Dollars!
Taxpayer Money going to Private for Profit Companies!
FOUL!
Public education is controlled by the largest lobbyist/union we have–the National Education Association.
The union is the problem with public education!
“We must close union offices, confiscate their money and put their leaders in prison. We must reduce workers’ salaries and take away their right to strike.” – Adolph Hitler, May 2, 1933
GREAT! People who stick up for public education should be the largest lobbying group we have. It is public education that made this country great. It is public education that has created any class mobility we may have in America. It is public school teachers and parents who have made it all possible, and going forward, if we can get rid of these draconian policies imposed upon public schools for the past 30 years (since the Reagan administration) maybe public schools can start to function as they should. The problem in our schools are not our teachers, the problem in our schools are the school boards with no background in education and politicians with no background in education passing policy after policy to fix the mess they have made.
i agree. and it is more political game .i think if you are on the school board you should at lest have a nid going to school at the time of being in office .Furthere more look at some of the schools and ask them the failing rate people would be very suprized 5 1/2 hours a day isn’t enough.
The NEA leadership is not truly standing up for our children in public schools–only concerned about the bargaining rights, pensions, etc.