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

State seeks input for education 'race'

By Matthew Stone mstone@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Maine's Department of Education is asking teachers, school administrators, business people and others for advice as it prepares to apply for up to $75 million in federal funds aimed at education reform.

The department is planning five sessions to collect ideas on enhancing Maine's application for "Race to the Top," a federal competition among the states for nearly $4.4 billion in federal dollars to spur education innovations.

The first of the five sessions takes place today in Westbrook. A session is planned 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Olson Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Even if Maine ultimately fails to garner Race to the Top money, Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron said assembling the application will help the state plan for undertaking education reforms in the coming years.

"It's a great opportunity for us to bring together all of the work that Maine has been engaged in and have a transition plan for the next administration," Gendron recently told members of the Legislature's Education Committee.

The U.S. Department of Education is asking states that apply for Race to the Top funds to:

* show they've adopted a set of national curriculum standards known as the "Common Core";

* taken steps to hire, train and reward effective teachers;

* started building data systems that track student achievement throughout school, into college and beyond; and

* developed plans for improving low-performing schools.

As Maine puts together its application, lawmakers are considering three bills meant to strengthen the state's Race to the Top competitiveness. The Legislature's Education Committee endorsed two of the proposals last week.

The legislation would:

* strike down a provision in Maine law that bans tying student achievement data to teacher and principal evaluations, opening the door to performance-based pay for teachers;

* let Maine adopt the set of the national curriculum standards; and

* allow school districts to set up so-called "innovative" schools that have more freedom than traditional public schools in choosing staff members and developing curriculum.

The Education Committee has yet to endorse the innovative-schools legislation, as committee members consider an amendment that would legalize full-fledged, independently run charter schools.

Some 40 states and Washington, D.C., applied for funds in the first round of Race to the Top. The Department of Education earlier this month named 16 finalists for the first round awards.

Maine is planning to apply by June 1 for money in the competition's second round.

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com