Bill to allow Maine’s first charter schools approved

By Kevin Miller, BDN Staff

Posted June 28, 2011, at 9:37 p.m.

AUGUSTA, Maine — Legislation creating Maine’s first charter schools is headed to Gov. Paul LePage’s desk for his signature.

After years of failed attempts, advocates for charter schools finally succeeded in receiving legislative support for allowing public schools that must meet state and federal academic standards but are given more flexibility in curriculum, budgeting and other areas.

Both the House and Senate voted without debate on Tuesday to approve a bill authorizing the creation of up to 10 charter schools in Maine over the next decade.

A State Charter School Commission will be responsible for authorizing the new schools. And the legislation approved Tuesday, LD 1553, imposes enrollment limitations on new charter schools during the first three years to prevent enrollment losses at nearby traditional schools.

LePage, a strong proponent of charter schools, is expected to sign LD 1553 during a public ceremony on Wednesday morning.

Bill sponsor Sen. Garrett Mason, R-Lisbon Falls, said he believes the 10-year, 10-school pilot program is a good first step that will allow the state to evaluate whether charter schools are working. Maine also has the advantage of learning from the experiences of the dozens of other states where they are already in place.

“Individual education is what everybody wants to get and charter schools are a step toward that individual education,” Mason said after the vote.

By law, charter schools must be free to attend, nonreligious and subject to the same academic standards as traditional schools. They cannot discriminate against students, and enrollment is voluntary. Some charter schools also focus on a specific academic theme, such as a heavy emphasis on certain subjects.

But while supporters view charter schools as simply another form of public choice, opponents suggest that the alternative schools could siphon much-needed money or the best and brightest students from traditional schools. Many of those concerns were aired in lengthy debates several weeks ago on the House and Senate floor.

Among the most vocal critics was Sen. Justin Alfond, a Portland Democrat and former co-chairman of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.

Speaking after Tuesday’s vote, Alfond said Maine is already underfunding its K-12 schools to the tune of $400 million over the next two years based on the funding formula approved by voters.

Now, taxpayer dollars will have to flow toward new charter schools at a time when many traditional schools in Maine already are working hard with inadequate resources to innovate classroom education.

“I believe adding charters creates more bureaucracy and duplication, which is exactly what Republicans don’t want and what Gov. LePage has vetoed in other bills,” Alfond said.

The Republican takeover of the State House and Blaine House clearly helped ease passage of the charter schools legislation. But the votes in both legislative chambers show that charter schools are not strictly a partisan issue.

In fact, former Democratic Gov. John Baldacci had supported past charter school legislation that failed to survive in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Charter advocates cheered Tuesday’s votes.

“After many years of work and careful consideration, the Maine Legislature has opened the door for further innovation and creativity in public education,” Roger Brainerd, executive director of the Maine Association for Charter Schools, said in a statement.

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Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

“We have no money, but let’s vote to create 10 new schools”
Anonymous

Sorry, Little Johnny, They sold the school to China and now you can go to work for wal-mart stocking shelves at night to help daddy pay your education of (Stocking shelves for wal-mart).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI6WbmuLfJw&NR=1
Anonymous

The time has come for all of us to think more progressively regarding how we educate our children. What’s important is accountability. schools need to be accountable to the taxpayers. Educating our children is what we want, who cares who does it the: public, private, charter or home.
Anonymous

The time has come for all of us to think more progressively regarding how we educate our children. What’s important is accountability. schools need to be accountable to the taxpayers. Educating our children is what we want, who cares who does it the: public, private, charter or home.
Anonymous

Schools are held accountable to tax payers. That is why they elect school boards who make every hiring, firing, and budget decision. If your school board is not getting the job done, I suggest you run for it.
Anonymous

There is nothing inherently wrong with charter schools. The major flaw in Maine is that we’re treating it more or less as a public school. The system should be totally private in nature and it’s structure, supported primatily by private investment, tuition by the parents, and basic/minimal funding by the state (taxpayers). I still struggle with why Maine has to make so many concepts difficult to implement, particularly when they’ve proven to be quite successfully throughout the country.
Anonymous

There is nothing inherently wrong with charter schools. The major flaw in Maine is that we’re treating it more or less as a public school. The system should be totally private in nature and it’s structure, supported primatily by private investment, tuition by the parents, and basic/minimal funding by the state (taxpayers). I still struggle with why Maine has to make so many concepts difficult to implement, particularly when they’ve proven to be quite successfully throughout the country.
Anonymous

I would add that the state, county, and municipality governments need to be more accountable to the taxpayers; they’re the ones who are holding the schools hostage.
Anonymous

It’s truly amazing that this has taken so long.
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

well at least little Johnny will learn his proper role in the slave state our esteemed socialists (democrats) have created….
Anonymous

Well, that explains why Buisness wants to kill the Government, They Hate the Competition!
Anonymous

Well, that explains why Buisness wants to kill the Government, They Hate the Competition!
Anonymous

Well, that explains why Buisness wants to kill the Government, They Hate the Competition!
Anonymous

Parents need to be held way more accountable than schools. You get parent accountability and our public schools will flourish.
Anonymous

Parents need to be held way more accountable than schools. You get parent accountability and our public schools will flourish.
Anonymous

I have said for years, pouring public money away from public schools into charter schools is not going to improve education in this state at all. It says they will not “discriminate against students”….well, by what definition? Will they be “discriminating” against the student with the 73 average when that kid doesn’t get accepted? Will they be “discriminating” when they don’t accept the special needs child?

If charter schools want to exist, do it privately and charge tuition to parents as somebody else in the comments stated.
Anonymous

I have said for years, pouring public money away from public schools into charter schools is not going to improve education in this state at all. It says they will not “discriminate against students”….well, by what definition? Will they be “discriminating” against the student with the 73 average when that kid doesn’t get accepted? Will they be “discriminating” when they don’t accept the special needs child?

If charter schools want to exist, do it privately and charge tuition to parents as somebody else in the comments stated.
Anonymous

I have said for years, pouring public money away from public schools into charter schools is not going to improve education in this state at all. It says they will not “discriminate against students”….well, by what definition? Will they be “discriminating” against the student with the 73 average when that kid doesn’t get accepted? Will they be “discriminating” when they don’t accept the special needs child?

If charter schools want to exist, do it privately and charge tuition to parents as somebody else in the comments stated.
Anonymous

Reading this article and not knowing the difference between a charter and private school I looked it up.

“A charter school is a public school operated independently of the local school board, often with a curriculum and educational philosophy different from the other schools in the system.”

I have for years believed public schools spend WAY too much money and focus on sports.
This may be good thing if the kids truly get a better education.
http://twitter.com/TheHumbleFarmer Robert Karl Skoglund

We read below: “The time has come for all of us to think more progressively regarding how we educate our children. What’s important is accountability.”

I cannot remember faces or lists of facts, dates, names, places. In school most of my test scores were anywhere from C to the F I got for playing drums. But I would get an A on my written papers which enabled me to squeak through.

My brother seems to have the uncanny ability to remember everything he has seen, heard or read since he was 2 years old. As I recall, the only course he did not Ace in college was playing basketball.

For 16 years we had just about the same teachers in grade school, high school and college. For which one of these students should their teachers be held accountable?

Come on, kids. Let’s admit that there is such a thing as IQ for which a teacher can hardly be held responsible.

One of my former students ended up in our state prison. Another one created a character named “Woody” for a movie called “Toy Story” and is now a Vice President of a movie company called Pixar. For which one of these students should their teacher be held accountable?

It might take 20 or 30 years before a teacher’s influence can be evaluated. True learning cannot be measured by a standardized test. Gregor Mendel failed his teacher’s examinations.

In Germany in the 1930s there were some folks who agreed with you about holding people accountable, although they could hardly be called progressive.

The humble Farmer
kcjonez

“After many years of work and careful consideration, the Maine Legislature has opened the door for further innovation and creativity in public education,”

Don’t you mean further privatization and creationism, Mr. Brainerd?
StillRelaxin

Charter schools are nothing but a private for profit enterprise that government officials (Guess which ones?) have come up with as a solution to s public problem. The problem being poor educational achievement of today’s children. What’s Mayor LePage’s answer? Take money out of public school systems and give it to private for profit enterprises (Now there’s a surprise, right?) who have repeatedly failed or done no better in their efforts than public schools. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Sadly politicians and school administrators don’t keep their jobs by telling people the truth. To justify their positions they always have to provide “solutions” to our problems. The problem with their solutions is that they are usually very convoluted, expensive, and rarely successfully implemented or connected to anything close to a positive result. Don’t be fooled by hucksters who don’t give a hoot about your kids. All they want to do is spread your money for themselves or among their friends/political supporters.

There’s only one real solution to our educational woes, PARENTS who truly care about their children’s education. Get involved in your kids lives and school studies. Pride, hard work, self-worth, and aspirations all “begin” in the home not in schools, on the streets, or through osmotic proximity with a TV, computer, smart phone, or video game. Check their homework, talk to their teachers, and hold them accountable for learning. Otherwise any school they go to will be nothing more than a babysitting service where your kids go to socialize and we will continue to receive the same poor educational results.
StillRelaxin

Charter schools are nothing but a private for profit enterprise that government officials (Guess which ones?) have come up with as a solution to s public problem. The problem being poor educational achievement of today’s children. What’s Mayor LePage’s answer? Take money out of public school systems and give it to private for profit enterprises (Now there’s a surprise, right?) who have repeatedly failed or done no better in their efforts than public schools. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Sadly politicians and school administrators don’t keep their jobs by telling people the truth. To justify their positions they always have to provide “solutions” to our problems. The problem with their solutions is that they are usually very convoluted, expensive, and rarely successfully implemented or connected to anything close to a positive result. Don’t be fooled by hucksters who don’t give a hoot about your kids. All they want to do is spread your money for themselves or among their friends/political supporters.

There’s only one real solution to our educational woes, PARENTS who truly care about their children’s education. Get involved in your kids lives and school studies. Pride, hard work, self-worth, and aspirations all “begin” in the home not in schools, on the streets, or through osmotic proximity with a TV, computer, smart phone, or video game. Check their homework, talk to their teachers, and hold them accountable for learning. Otherwise any school they go to will be nothing more than a babysitting service where your kids go to socialize and we will continue to receive the same poor educational results.
StillRelaxin

Charter schools are nothing but a private for profit enterprise that government officials (Guess which ones?) have come up with as a solution to s public problem. The problem being poor educational achievement of today’s children. What’s Mayor LePage’s answer? Take money out of public school systems and give it to private for profit enterprises (Now there’s a surprise, right?) who have repeatedly failed or done no better in their efforts than public schools. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Sadly politicians and school administrators don’t keep their jobs by telling people the truth. To justify their positions they always have to provide “solutions” to our problems. The problem with their solutions is that they are usually very convoluted, expensive, and rarely successfully implemented or connected to anything close to a positive result. Don’t be fooled by hucksters who don’t give a hoot about your kids. All they want to do is spread your money for themselves or among their friends/political supporters.

There’s only one real solution to our educational woes, PARENTS who truly care about their children’s education. Get involved in your kids lives and school studies. Pride, hard work, self-worth, and aspirations all “begin” in the home not in schools, on the streets, or through osmotic proximity with a TV, computer, smart phone, or video game. Check their homework, talk to their teachers, and hold them accountable for learning. Otherwise any school they go to will be nothing more than a babysitting service where your kids go to socialize and we will continue to receive the same poor educational results.
StillRelaxin

Charter schools are nothing but a private for profit enterprise that government officials (Guess which ones?) have come up with as a solution to s public problem. The problem being poor educational achievement of today’s children. What’s Mayor LePage’s answer? Take money out of public school systems and give it to private for profit enterprises (Now there’s a surprise, right?) who have repeatedly failed or done no better in their efforts than public schools. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Sadly politicians and school administrators don’t keep their jobs by telling people the truth. To justify their positions they always have to provide “solutions” to our problems. The problem with their solutions is that they are usually very convoluted, expensive, and rarely successfully implemented or connected to anything close to a positive result. Don’t be fooled by hucksters who don’t give a hoot about your kids. All they want to do is spread your money for themselves or among their friends/political supporters.

There’s only one real solution to our educational woes, PARENTS who truly care about their children’s education. Get involved in your kids lives and school studies. Pride, hard work, self-worth, and aspirations all “begin” in the home not in schools, on the streets, or through osmotic proximity with a TV, computer, smart phone, or video game. Check their homework, talk to their teachers, and hold them accountable for learning. Otherwise any school they go to will be nothing more than a babysitting service where your kids go to socialize and we will continue to receive the same poor educational results.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SCNJPPZDX7GEYELESV2YGQFLN4 Pat T. Riot

How do charter schools gain an advantage over public schools? Are they cheaper to operate? Do they pay teachers less money? Are charter school teachers better than public school teachers? That would be somewhat contradictory, better workers receiving less money. Presumably, charter schools are profit-oriented. Generally improving profit means increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. How will someone operating a charter school accomplish those objectives? Use your imagination. By the way, charter schools in Philadelphia are making the national news as 19 out of 74 are being investigated for fraud, financial mismanagement, or conflict of interest.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SCNJPPZDX7GEYELESV2YGQFLN4 Pat T. Riot

How do charter schools gain an advantage over public schools? Are they cheaper to operate? Do they pay teachers less money? Are charter school teachers better than public school teachers? That would be somewhat contradictory, better workers receiving less money. Presumably, charter schools are profit-oriented. Generally improving profit means increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. How will someone operating a charter school accomplish those objectives? Use your imagination. By the way, charter schools in Philadelphia are making the national news as 19 out of 74 are being investigated for fraud, financial mismanagement, or conflict of interest.
kkmousse

The school system up here is too weak in many areas. The high drop out rate just points out how bored some students are with the status quo. They could be better served by innovative teaching ideas used by many Charter Schools around the country.
Isn’t a good idea to give ALL Maine Students the means to get a high school diploma and prepare them for something meaningful in the future.

Didn’t Lepage suggest at one point to have 5 year high school, and the students would have credits to a AS degree upon graduation from high school. (It would at least give some students an option to continue on to a regular college or find some job that they would be passionate about.)
This is one of the only ideas he suggested that really made sense.
Anonymous

Try firing an incompetent teacher. Most school boards are @#*wipes to the teachers and superintendent. I know I’ve been there. When teachers like you and your children they try feeding your ego and tell you that you should be on the school board. Then they try to control you. The answer is for parents to be involved and know what’s going on. Parents have a lot more control regarding their children’s education than they realize.
kkmousse

But if you live in a dinky town your voice does not hold as much weight as someone from a larger town in the school district.
kkmousse

Interesting you mention China. It is amazing how many Chinese students are in this country. They are paid for by the Chinese to attend our schools. They get better service in our schools …most likely because the Chinese will not continue to send students if they are not fully satisfied with the results.
But what happens to the regular students of parents that pay taxes to the school. Are they then second class to the Chinese?
If the Chinese can get the results they want. Then the taxpayer should also by becoming involved in the education process.
School is not for daycare, or a place to send your child each day so you can sit and do nothing. You have to get involved and ask questions and demand accountablity of the school on behalf of your child. (Just like China does)
kkmousse

Democrats are not Socialist! You may think that Obama is Socialist and that he is a Democrate. But that does not make all Democrats Socialist!
kkmousse

Most parents pay taxes and that money goes to education also. That in effect is paying a tuition. Even though they say that all children in this country get a free education. They in fact do not. The taxpayers pay for that education.
Therefore parents of students that may go to a Charter School are entitled to that same benefit. They in fact have paid for it.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Lori-Safford/100001271836174 Lori Safford

One huge advantage with charter school is they will not be held hostage to the teacher’s union and superintendents’ whims. I was a teacher and principal at a charter school I helped open in inner city Detroit, MI–we took children who were 4 years below grade level in reading and math and raised their scores and skills to grade level and above in one year. Not to mention lots of other fabulous & innovative programs!!! I moved my sons to Maine after four years there and have not been able to get a teaching or administrative position because I am too far up the pay scale regulated by the teacher’s union. I have said I would work for less, but am told it is against “the law.” Now, with charter schools being allowed, I can start my own and bring a solid & successful educational choice to Maine’s students.
kkmousse

My daughter went to a school and it was interesting to see how many students made the honor roll. The school had different levels of education, based on the needs of the students.
So someone in a remedial program could achieve the honor roll for that level.
But that same student could not in actuality compete on the same level as someone in the Honors program.
So my question is …was that remedial student given the same education as the honor student? Would that education make then successful in society (where they do not make concessions for people of lesser ability).
So when I see a list of students on the honor roll, I have to wonder at the shear number of them in comparison to the student population of that school as a whole.
Was this a means to make the school look good on paper? I do not know. But I do know my daughter is successful and some of her classmates are not. Was that the fault of this system? Were those parents of the remedial students given a sense that their son/daughter was a gifted student, when they were not. Is that fair?
Maybe a Charter school would have been a better choice for them.
Anonymous

You’re giving a bit too much weight to these honors. They don’t actually mean much. A student’s GPA is probably more indicative of the kind of work a student does because many schools actually give a higher point value to an Honors level class.

But of course being on the honor roll will mean different things for different people. Just like graduating cum laude from UMaine is much different than graduating cum laude from Bowdoin, for example.
Anonymous

You hit that nail squarely.Anyone who thinks this isn’t a trick to reintroduce the religious right’s agenda is sadly mistaken.These people will stop at nothing.Look at the mess kin Texas under Perry,DeLay,etc.
Anonymous

You hit that nail squarely.Anyone who thinks this isn’t a trick to reintroduce the religious right’s agenda is sadly mistaken.These people will stop at nothing.Look at the mess kin Texas under Perry,DeLay,etc.
Anonymous

You hit that nail squarely.Anyone who thinks this isn’t a trick to reintroduce the religious right’s agenda is sadly mistaken.These people will stop at nothing.Look at the mess kin Texas under Perry,DeLay,etc.
Anonymous

You hit that nail squarely.Anyone who thinks this isn’t a trick to reintroduce the religious right’s agenda is sadly mistaken.These people will stop at nothing.Look at the mess kin Texas under Perry,DeLay,etc.
Anonymous

You hit that nail squarely.Anyone who thinks this isn’t a trick to reintroduce the religious right’s agenda is sadly mistaken.These people will stop at nothing.Look at the mess kin Texas under Perry,DeLay,etc.
Anonymous

You hit that nail squarely.Anyone who thinks this isn’t a trick to reintroduce the religious right’s agenda is sadly mistaken.These people will stop at nothing.Look at the mess kin Texas under Perry,DeLay,etc.
Anonymous

You hit that nail squarely.Anyone who thinks this isn’t a trick to reintroduce the religious right’s agenda is sadly mistaken.These people will stop at nothing.Look at the mess kin Texas under Perry,DeLay,etc.
Anonymous

If the schools are so bad, why is the solution only a solution for some of the kids? If the schools are so appalling why just offer a resolution for some and not all? I don’t see the logic.
Anonymous

True enough there.If you look back at the Moral Majority,one of the things they did was take over school boards very stealthily and put their agenda in place.It’s succeeded beyond their wildest dreams-sadly for those of us who appreciate thought and knowledge.
Anonymous

True enough there.If you look back at the Moral Majority,one of the things they did was take over school boards very stealthily and put their agenda in place.It’s succeeded beyond their wildest dreams-sadly for those of us who appreciate thought and knowledge.
Anonymous

Corrupt capitalism created Walmarts and their ilk. The most successful capitalist countries (with the happiest people and some of the best longevity of its citizens) are the Scandinavian countries (democratic-socialists). Way better schools, also. (Can’t afford to sell my house in our lousy economy – so don’t tell me to move there if I like it so much!)
Anonymous

The unions don’t dictate your hiring. Experienced teachers are hired all the time by school districts. Sometimes people are not hired because someone more suitable is available.
Anonymous

The unions don’t dictate your hiring. Experienced teachers are hired all the time by school districts. Sometimes people are not hired because someone more suitable is available.
Anonymous

The unions don’t dictate your hiring. Experienced teachers are hired all the time by school districts. Sometimes people are not hired because someone more suitable is available.
Anonymous

The unions don’t dictate your hiring. Experienced teachers are hired all the time by school districts. Sometimes people are not hired because someone more suitable is available.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

Spoken like a true LEFTIST UNION HACK.

Do you in anyway care that the UNION schools are failing to successfully prepare our children. We are fall further and further behind in the global arena.

“A teachers’ union and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a civil-rights group, filed a lawsuit last month to stop 22 failing schools from closing and also to prevent 19 charter schools from moving in with existing district schools. (Charter schools are independently managed but government-funded.)”

”
Harlem, still a NAACP stronghold, has become an education battlefield. Last month some 3,000 parents turned out with banners to urge the NAACP to drop the suit. Ny Whitaker, whose son attends a Harlem charter school, says the “NAACP is on the wrong side of history”. The NAACP brought the landmark Brown v Board of Education case which ended segregation before the Supreme Court, but Hazel Dukes, head of its New York chapter of NAACP, surely over-reacted when she accused one charter parent of “doing the business of slave masters”. ”

StillRelaxin you should be proud to be on the wrong side of history.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

I volunteered about 13 years ago at a charter school in California that my stepson went to. The school catered to those who needed a “different” environment due primarily to behavioral or intellectual challenges. There are small schools existing right now in the area who fit this bill and will be a good alternative to those kids who simply don’t thrive in the 8-3 environment. Will these schools offer the arts and athletic opportunities that the “regular” schools do? Probably not. But… for those kids who can work more independently or need the flexibility that a small school will provide — the advantages will outweigh the disadvantages.
Anonymous

Typical LOSER LEFTIST mentality
StillRelaxin

Keep spreading that fear, hate (You’re really following those black folks close, huh.) and money. It should buy you a friend or two. Perhaps the more you spread the more you can buy? Goodluck!
StillRelaxin

Keep spreading that fear, hate (You’re really following those black folks close, huh.) and money. It should buy you a friend or two. Perhaps the more you spread the more you can buy? Goodluck!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SCNJPPZDX7GEYELESV2YGQFLN4 Pat T. Riot

I guess time will tell. Thinking that charter schools are somehow a magic solution for perceived inadequacies in public education merely because they are called “charter” schools seems a little shallow. What will they reveal in practice? Governor LePage has lauded home schooling, but my experience as a public school teacher would suggest another side of the issue. I have had several occasions to teach formerly home-schooled students in a regular high school algebra class. In general, they were far behind other students. Eventually they did more-or-less catch up, but not entirely. (Sorry, home school proponents. I know you can cite success stories, but I think you are short-changing your students.)
Anonymous

Actually, I am a quite WEALTHY Leftist!
Anonymous

Almost 70% of Charter School perform better UNION schools, yet you would still try and stop them.

I spent 46 years living, working and going to segrated schools in NYC. I also went to school in Harlem, so yes I do watch the black folks closer.

Have you ever met a black person?
Anonymous

This is a difficult time for Maine’s youth…way too few jobs; few career paths for the drop outs like the Marine Corps or the Army.

The twenty percent who don’t graduate; don’t have much to look forward to in a State where manufacturing and other ‘line’ jobs are getting scarce and their competition now includes retirees….Burger King window yesterday!

So you have rebellion, crime, drug abuse, single parent families where ‘mom’ can’t control her teenagers, etc.

Charter schools may provide an answer BUT ONLY IF THEY FOCUS on trades, instead of liberal fads.
Olde Hippie

Two students, same teacher. How about one student with two outcomes?

In 1956 (?) William Shockley revolutionized electronics when he invented the transistor. He is highly lauded for his accomplishment. But no one ever mentions his other passion, his campaign to clean up the country through eugenics. Now, which William Shockley do we evaluate?
Anonymous

The U. of Maine has a lot of programs of dubious value that can and should be eliminated. Many faculty w/tenure teach very little and get subsidized leave constantly.

Anyone remember all the recommendations of that task force headed by David Flanagan and the savings they discovered? …like the expense of having to provide a high school education , i.e. remediation?
Anonymous

70%? Lofty claim for sure. Love to see the numbers on that.
Anonymous

Which programs?
Anonymous

Which programs?
StillRelaxin

If you’re going to post a specific claim of 70% superiority one would logically expect you to provide your specific source. Last time I checked Charter school success rates like their public school counterparts were rather dismal. Some to well, so do ok, and some do poorly. Thus no benifit, well other than to the businessmen who run them and step in to scoop up some quick profits from the money removed from public funding collected from taxpayers to pay for public schools. “Have I ever met a black person”? Apparently not if they are people who instill so much fear for you. All the folks of color that I’ve met were just people just like me. Perhaps it’s people who think as you do that I haven’t met? More likely I’ve met folks like you but they dared not expose themselves in public as you have here.
Anonymous

Statement came from an oped contributer a few days ago who stated that 33% of Charter Schools do worse than UNION schools.
Anonymous

The only fear I have is that LEFTISTS continue to LIMIT FREEDOMS, who are so politically correct that they will support UNIONS OVER CHILDREN. I fear LEFTISTS who are so anti-business that it would cloud objectivity when it comes to our children’s education.

You have never met black people outside a controlled situation. Ignorance is bliss
Anonymous

Does being Wealthy make you a winner and not a loser?
Anonymous

Does being Wealthy make you a winner and not a loser?
Anonymous

Does being Wealthy make you a winner and not a loser?
Anonymous

Does being Wealthy make you a winner and not a loser?
StillRelaxin

Hmm…this is so “odd” that I’m not at all sure how to interpret it. Are you actually saying that outside of controlled situations that black people are something we all should be fearful of? If so, then I’m so creeped out that there’s not much point in continuing this discussion.
Anonymous

It all depends on what you consider to be wealth, in my case it is family and friends!
Anonymous

You have been the only person in these threads to bring up fear of Blacks. Why do LEFTISTS FEAR BLACKS? I lived, worked, gone to church and slept with Blacks; the FEAR is yours and your fellow LEFTISTS
Anonymous

You have been the only person in these threads to bring up fear of Blacks. Why do LEFTISTS FEAR BLACKS? I lived, worked, gone to church and slept with Blacks; the FEAR is yours and your fellow LEFTISTS
Anonymous

You have been the only person in these threads to bring up fear of Blacks. Why do LEFTISTS FEAR BLACKS? I lived, worked, gone to church and slept with Blacks; the FEAR is yours and your fellow LEFTISTS
StillRelaxin

Oh really! Ok I get it, you don’t want any more exposure on this subject you address in a backhanded manner. Too late we all see you now.
Anonymous

Because deunionizing the teachers and holding them accountable is apparently too harsh for them…
Anonymous

Because deunionizing the teachers and holding them accountable is apparently too harsh for them…
Anonymous

Because deunionizing the teachers and holding them accountable is apparently too harsh for them…
Anonymous

Because deunionizing the teachers and holding them accountable is apparently too harsh for them…
Anonymous

Because deunionizing the teachers and holding them accountable is apparently too harsh for them…
Anonymous

Because deunionizing the teachers and holding them accountable is apparently too harsh for them…
Anonymous

Because deunionizing the teachers and holding them accountable is apparently too harsh for them…
Anonymous

Why do we need entirely seperate schools to do this though? I know the Saint John Valley has a nice system where juniors and seniors can spend half their day at a vocational school in Fort Kent (in a variety of programs such as culinary skills, electricity, welding, etc).
Anonymous

Why do we need entirely seperate schools to do this though? I know the Saint John Valley has a nice system where juniors and seniors can spend half their day at a vocational school in Fort Kent (in a variety of programs such as culinary skills, electricity, welding, etc).
Anonymous

Why do we need entirely seperate schools to do this though? I know the Saint John Valley has a nice system where juniors and seniors can spend half their day at a vocational school in Fort Kent (in a variety of programs such as culinary skills, electricity, welding, etc).
Anonymous

Why do we need entirely seperate schools to do this though? I know the Saint John Valley has a nice system where juniors and seniors can spend half their day at a vocational school in Fort Kent (in a variety of programs such as culinary skills, electricity, welding, etc).
Anonymous

Why do we need entirely seperate schools to do this though? I know the Saint John Valley has a nice system where juniors and seniors can spend half their day at a vocational school in Fort Kent (in a variety of programs such as culinary skills, electricity, welding, etc).
Anonymous

I’m not changing the topic, quite the opposite it is you that’s running away from the topic and it was you who brought racism into the thread. LEFTIST’s strategy is immediately try and paint someone with an opposing view a RACIST. True to your color, no pun intended.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
StillRelaxin

Sorry Cerb, I can take no credit for your exposure here. You chose your own words and expressed your own thoughts so your exposure is completely owned by yourself.
Anonymous

Of course property taxes pay for education, but they pay it for education in their municipality (unless you live in a town with school choice which presents its own issues). Charter schools should be private because once they take public funds, the rules of the game change…..discrimination/special education issues/just running a school in general….once you get public money, the government is more involved. There will be issues….I can see them coming.

Also, does anybody else find it ironic that part of the whole school consolidation angle was to cut administrative costs. Charter schools certainly do not work to that end. You could have a charter school of 120 kids, and it will still require (most likely) a full time principal, full time bookkeeper/accountant, etc. It just seems odd to me
Anonymous

Yes, there’s some truth to what you say.
Anonymous

I’m certain that’s exactly why Gov. Baldacci supported them.

He and Lepage have SO much in common you know.
Anonymous

Actually, Bangor offers a similar, and apparently very successful option down here as well.

One size (doesn’t) fit all.
Anonymous

You lie like a rug, your duplicious statements and specious arguments makes you the RACIST most LEFTISTS are
Anonymous

You lie like a rug, your duplicious statements and specious arguments makes you the RACIST most LEFTISTS are
Anonymous

You lie like a rug, your duplicious statements and specious arguments makes you the RACIST most LEFTISTS are
Anonymous

You lie like a rug, your duplicious statements and specious arguments makes you the RACIST most LEFTISTS are
Anonymous

37% do worse, 17% do better, the rest do the same. Charters are twice as likely to hurt children than to help them.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

So, you want private schools nut public schools? We have those already.
Anonymous

Yes, the students drop out because they are bored, not because they have loser parents who don’t expect academic excellence or are willing to put in the time to actually parent.
Anonymous

Yes, the students drop out because they are bored, not because they have loser parents who don’t expect academic excellence or are willing to put in the time to actually parent.
Anonymous

Yes, the students drop out because they are bored, not because they have loser parents who don’t expect academic excellence or are willing to put in the time to actually parent.
Anonymous

Yes, the students drop out because they are bored, not because they have loser parents who don’t expect academic excellence or are willing to put in the time to actually parent.
Anonymous

Yes, the students drop out because they are bored, not because they have loser parents who don’t expect academic excellence or are willing to put in the time to actually parent.
Anonymous

Yes, the students drop out because they are bored, not because they have loser parents who don’t expect academic excellence or are willing to put in the time to actually parent.
Anonymous

No, if they choose not to enroll their children in the school for which they are paying taxes, it’s on THEM. They pay tuition at the school they choose — been going on for years with religion-based schools. Two sets of rules just don’t cut it.
Anonymous

No, if they choose not to enroll their children in the school for which they are paying taxes, it’s on THEM. They pay tuition at the school they choose — been going on for years with religion-based schools. Two sets of rules just don’t cut it.
Anonymous

Did the NEA supply those figures?
Anonymous

Incompetent teachers can be fired. There is a process and when it is NOT followed or pursued, that falls on administration at the building and/or district level (don’t blame the unions).
Anonymous

Incompetent teachers can be fired. There is a process and when it is NOT followed or pursued, that falls on administration at the building and/or district level (don’t blame the unions).
Anonymous

Demand accountability of parents and everything will fall into line. If the Chinese students are more successful, it is because of the focus put on education by their parents and culture. When a parent lets their child stay home (or wants them to), what are schools supposed to really do? You think the district attorney is going to really take the time to pursue a truancy case?
Anonymous

Demand accountability of parents and everything will fall into line. If the Chinese students are more successful, it is because of the focus put on education by their parents and culture. When a parent lets their child stay home (or wants them to), what are schools supposed to really do? You think the district attorney is going to really take the time to pursue a truancy case?
Anonymous

Demand accountability of parents and everything will fall into line. If the Chinese students are more successful, it is because of the focus put on education by their parents and culture. When a parent lets their child stay home (or wants them to), what are schools supposed to really do? You think the district attorney is going to really take the time to pursue a truancy case?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CCSEPJKI4QYEEOK2APM4PQ2NV4 eric

way to tell it the way it is, the baby sitter durng the hours of 8 to 3 during Aug. 27 to June 18 and the the computer, tv and ipod take the place of good parenting. i am not saying turn back the technology, but moderate the overuse, spend some quality time together. it used to be sit down and have a meal at the dinner table what happen to that ideal????
Anonymous

Not that I am aware of, the study was done by the CREDO institute at Stanford a private school with no ties to the NEA.
Anonymous

That doesn’t address my point at all. If the schools are so bad, why just remove a few kids and not all of them?
Anonymous

Umm did I say anything about unions?
Anonymous

Umm did I say anything about unions?

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