Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Attorney general, new education chief question chase for Race to the Top funds

By Matthew Stone mstone@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Maine's new acting education commissioner voiced frustration Monday with the state's process for vetting teacher evaluation models that incorporate student achievement data.

Angela Faherty's comments came the same day Attorney General Janet Mills again raised doubts about whether she'll sign Maine's application for up to $75 million in federal funds aimed at education reform.

Mills on Monday told a panel that Maine law might not cut it when it comes to meeting federal Race to the Top competition guidelines.

In Race to the Top, state attorneys general need to certify to the federal government that their states have no legal barriers preventing the use of student achievement data in teacher evaluations.

State law, "at a minimum, has to allow for that to happen, and there can't be a barrier down the road," Mills said. "That's what the feds have put out there."

Maine legislators last month passed a law meant to strike down that 20-year-old student data-teacher evaluation barrier, and started a panel charged with pre-approving at least one teacher evaluation model that would allow school districts to use student data in performance evaluations.

The panel includes representatives from the state teachers' union -- which pressed for the task force to be formed -- and groups representing superintendents, principals, school boards and special-education directors.

Mills' office has pointed out that the legislation doesn't require it to approve any new teacher evaluation models.

"This statute could well be construed as a barrier to doing what the feds told us to do," Mills said Monday.

The doubts about Maine's Race to the Top application come amid a push by the Obama administration to get more states and school districts to use students' academic progress as an element in teacher evaluations and compensation.

The Maine panel working on teacher evaluation models has an initial May 14 deadline set by Gov. John Baldacci for approving at least one student data-based evaluation model. The Race to the Top application deadline is June 1.

"May 14 is ridiculous," Faherty said at an all-day panel meeting. "I think there's a flaw in the whole design."

But, she said, "We're very committed to removing the barrier, perceived, real or otherwise."

The group's members on Monday also raised concerns about the timetable.

"We want to make a very thoughtful decision because this is going to have huge ramifications for students and educators in Maine," said Linda Bleile, Wiscasset Middle School principal and president of the Maine Principals' Association. "For us to have to choose a protocol in 12 or 14 hours creates huge tension for us."

Short of approving an evaluation method, Maine Education Association President Chris Galgay said it should be sufficient if Maine can show it's working toward approving and implementing evaluation systems that incorporate students' academic progress.

Those systems, he added, shouldn't include plans to base teacher pay on their students' academic performance.

"We don't believe in merit pay," Galgay said. "What does it mean? You're going to work harder because you're getting a bonus? Teachers are working 120 percent. It's offensive."

Carrie Thurston, special-education director in Unity-based School Administrative District 3, said it would be unwise for the panel to ignore the attorney general's advice and put off a decision on an acceptable teacher evaluation model.

"I don't think anyone sitting around the table wants to invest that kind of time if we are going to do something that's going to be a barrier," she said.

The panel has one more meeting scheduled before the May 14 deadline. Members plan to review three evaluation models of teachers and two of school principals in a last-ditch attempt to find an agreeable model.

Afterward, the panel will continue meeting until July 1, 2011, to review and approve additional evaluation techniques from which school districts can choose.

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com