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

State changes rules to win U.S. grants

By Matthew Stone mstone@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA -- Maine is a step closer to entering a federal competition for $4.4 billion in education reform funds after a legislative panel Tuesday signed off on two of three bills meant to bolster's the state's competitive edge.

Members of the Legislature's Education Committee voted 9-1 to strike down a provision in Maine law that bans tying student achievement data to teacher and principal evaluations, and they voted 9-1 to adopt a set of national curriculum standards -- known as the "Common Core" -- being developed by the National Governors Association.

The committee held off on endorsing the third bill -- meant to allow so-called "innovative," district-run schools -- after Rep. Alan Casavant, D-Biddeford, proposed using the legislation to legalize independently run charter schools in Maine.

The bills are meant to strengthen Maine's position in the national Race to the Top competition among the states.

Maine could be eligible for $20 million to $75 million in funds meant to advance education reforms, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The state is preparing to participate in a second round of the competition and will apply for the funds by June 1.

While they ultimately supported two of the three pieces of legislation Tuesday, Education Committee members were skeptical about the measures they were endorsing.

"We're voting blind in order to get the money," Casavant said of the two measures. "I'm ... motivated by the idea of improving a system that I know is not working. I just don't know if this is the right thing. What do we do? Take a gamble?"

The bill removing Maine's prohibition on linking student achievement data with teacher evaluations could move school districts closer to a system of performance-based pay for teachers. Legislators promised to include groups representing superintendents, principals and the teachers' union in discussions about developing such a system.

"I think the idea of using data is a good idea," said Rep. Peter Johnson, R-Greenville. "I think the method of implementation needs to be carefully thought out in order to do that."

Other committee members raised concerns that they were moving to adopt the "Common Core" standards without seeing the final draft, which has yet to be released.

Rep. Edward Finch, D-Fairfield, was the only committee member to oppose the measures.

"Are we for sale?" he asked, noting lawmakers were only considering policy changes to boost Maine's chances of winning federal money.

"This is another step toward the federalizing of education," Finch said. "It's awful tempting to say, 'let's just go along. Let's just take this on faith.' I can't do that."

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com