AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage’s recent sharp criticism of the state public education systems, based on a national study conducted by Harvard University’s Program on Education Policy and Governance, spurred an equally sharp response from the Maine School Management Association, one of the organizations the governor suggested was to blame.
In a July 19 letter to LePage, MSMA Executive Director Dale Douglass asserted that the governor left out some relevant information from the Harvard report, which analyzed data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
In an association bulletin also dated July 19, which Douglass provided to the governor along with his letter, MSMA argued that LePage’s “recent criticism of Maine schools leaves out some facts on student achievement … most notably that students here are achieving well above the national average.”
Maine ranks in the top tier on the test the Harvard report cited, according to MSMA. Though Maine has not made big gains in test scores in recent years, the Harvard report notes that status “could be a result, in part, of the state’s early success.”
Among the data from the test MSMA cites are:
• Maine eighth-graders scored higher than most of the nation’s students in science on the test in 2011, with only five states scoring higher than Maine.
• In reading, Maine eighth-graders were in the top 10 among states.
• Eighth-graders were tied for sixth in the nation on writing scores from 2007, the most recent test data available.
• Maine fourth-graders were tied for fifth-place in the most recent science test.
LePage also pointed to the state’s 83.7 percent high school graduation rate in his letter criticizing Maine education results, but MSMA notes that the national average is around 75 percent.
“Given the tone and nature of your comments,” Douglass wrote the governor, “MSMA believed it worthwhile to do factual research concerning Maine’s rankings. We ask that you read and review this material carefully.”
In his letter, Douglass also suggested that LePage aimed his criticism of Maine schools at MSMA, which represents school boards and superintendents; the Maine Education Association, representing teachers; and the Maine Principals Association.
“Clearly you continue to be driven by the four educational associations’ opposition to your charter [school] and choice legislation,” Douglass wrote.
In the bulletin publication, MSMA said, “The bottom line is that charter schools will take away badly needed funding from public schools even though research shows they will not improve student achievement.”
The governor did not back down from his statements on Friday. During a job creation workshop in the morning at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, he briefly addressed what he felt were problems in the educational system.
Unions, the governor told those assembled, “want their dues” and “don’t really care about teachers.” He also said that superintendents were saying that they needed more money in their districts, despite the fact that Maine spends $15,000 per year per student. The national average is $10,000 per year per student, according to LePage.
Then in the text of his upcoming Saturday radio address, released Friday afternoon, the governor reiterated his concern about the Harvard report, saying it “indicates that Maine is next to last in student achievement compared to 40 other states … [which is] why my administration is standing up against the status quo of union bosses, superintendents and principals association.
He also continued to push for school choice: “The status quo is not putting our students or our teachers first and only a commitment to change will improve results. It is critical Maine offers more opportunities in the form of school choice and teacher development and training.”
David Connerty-Marin, spokesman for the Department of Education, also noted Friday in an email that though Maine is scoring high on the tests — a fact the governor’s press release conceded — “It’s not like Maine’s getting a 97 on a 100 point test. We still have 50 percent of our students not proficient in reading and math in high school. We’re making almost no progress over 20 years. So, we’re near the top of what? A very low hill.”
Other states and countries have made bigger achievement gains than Maine, Connerty-Marin wrote. To match those gains, “We need to steal those best practices, especially by focusing on effective teachers, rigorous standards and more choices for students and families.”
Douglass, in his letter to LePage, reminded the governor that MSMA worked with the administration on legislation “dealing with the teacher probationary period, teacher and principal evaluations.” He also credited Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen for putting together “some very effective work groups to deal with issues that will help improve student achievement.”
Douglass suggested the governor sit down and meet with the associations he criticized.
BDN writer Jen Lynds contributed to this report.
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Silly
…
Look in the mirror and repeat “I am a silly . . .”
ugh
Only when trying to communicate with some who refuse to listen – like now!
ugh
You are correct. It is simply a waste of time, breath and logic!
ugh
You are correct! Goodbye!
—-zilch—-
Absolutely!
Why do you come to this conclusion? Is it because the governor is trying to break the Maine state of “you-owe-me” mind and try to get people off their back sides and working toward a viable economy? If people spent more time busting their back sides and less on their computers barfing against anything that proposes to improve Maine state economy, education and work ethic, we would all be better off!
Take a good look at his agenda, it is not based in fact !!!—-It is GOP Driven !
Its all about Private Industry wringing every last buck out of the people of America!
He never misses a chance to attack those groups that he doesn’t like.Teachers,unions,democrats, artists, newspaper, it doesn’t Matter.Facts are his enemy , so he refuses to use them.Twisting them so he can promote his own social agenda.Truth is the enemy of the LePage regime.
ugh 86’d
You make too much sense, stop it…….
Thanks!
…..
Its not a teacher thing, it is the teachers union…
How? Why don’t you explain how a organization of teachers that has no control over hiring, firing, curriculum, discipline, organization, books, administration and money is the problem with education.
Blaming teachers unions is just a way to escape responsibility for local education. You elect the school board that runs the schools, hires the teachers, sets the curriculum, administers the system and sets the goals. If you don’t like what’s going on in schools it’s your fault for electing the school board you did.
Run for school board if you think you can do a better job.
Calm down…
Teachers are not the problem.
That gut wrenching feeling is ————Reciprocated!
…And by the time we are finally able to replace LePage, most, if not all of Maine will despise him. I am convinced he will not be happy until he has systematically alienated everyone. He already has made exceptional progress with that part of his agenda.
Please Governor LePage don’t pick on us we are doing the best we can. Overall the management of education can use help. We do not need to be just getting by we need to excell. After all the students of todays Maine are our future ambassadors. If we produce only satisfactory students then that is going to be the opinion of our state overall.
I think the dour situation in our schools today reflect society at large. We’ve lost our core values and replaced them with relative values, values that change with changing circumstances. We need to go back to the basic fundamentals and take control of all those things that interfere with family life, including too much TV and computer use.
There is something to this. Many kids in Maine no longer live in neighborhoods, or even have free time to play with other kids.
On and on it goes…the governor of our lovely state taking little pieces of a big picture and making them the focus, rather than looking at the whole story and working with the truth. I no longer pay attention to what he says. Now I wait for the response. It’s too bad that so many people and agencies have to waste their time defending themselves against the one person who should be supporting their efforts and recognizing the good that they do. Demanding accountability is a good thing, but only when you have and use true information. The good gov’ doesn’t work this way. Instead he creates situations where people get all wound up in misinformation and unnecessary defense tactics.
On the other hand, it’s good to see the facts in print. Thank you MSMA, MEA and MPA for continuing your efforts to do good things for our kids, even while our state and federal government continues to put obstacles in your way and continues to expect you to do more with less.
Paul LaPudge falsely criticizes many groups both private and public, then spends time issuing hollow apology for his comments that lack thought.
In one letter Mr. LePage accomplished angering the teachers and their employers at the same time.
Next why not go for a trifecta and tick off the students too?
He already did that by pushing his student wage agenda – so he is 3 for 3.
The truth hurts jason.
LePage is out of touch and makes a habit of shooting of his mouth half-cocked. He only needs half the facts to make his decision on any subject. Some of those hits he took from his father years ago really did hurt him and destroyed any compassion or commen sense he might have had. Really sad.
You would hope that some of his advisers would get him to tone down his rhetoric. Just because members of the Tea Party are very loud doesn’t they speak for most of us Mainers.
Not to Mention the Brain Damage!
Let’s see: the issue is poor performance and management of taxpayer funds. In the private sector, poorly performing managers would be replaced to get things back on track. The same logic should apply with the school administrators and teachers… assuming that an unbiased review would be permitted by the union.
Amen!
The people that run the schools are elected by the voters. Your school board chooses the school administrators and hires the teachers the administrators recommend. If you think your teachers are not performing you need to address your concerns to the school board you elected.
Hey LeDunce………
Your pants are on fire!!
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What about the reading scores of fourth graders? It is not true that charter schools do not achieve better results. Many do. That, of course, depends on the programs that are put in place. We are not happy with the way Maine schools have slipped in achievement over the years in spite of receiving much more money to run them. Maybe you are happy with the status quo but ask the parents whose children are failing how they feel. There is nothing better than a little healthy competition to improve results very fast.
Many charter and private schools get to choose which students attend them. Also, schools are not, and should not be run like businesses. Competition between schools for students will not increase achievement.
The statistics I have seen disproves that. When schools start losing students the stakes become very high. Schools should be run like businesses. If they are not doing their job they should be replaced and so should the people.
In rural Maine, if families start moving out, or start sending kids out of their districts, the kids left behind will most likely be lower income, and we know where that will lead. A competition model might work in a district/city with more than one high school, middle school, or elementary school, like Portland.
Say two schools are close enough to compete for students. How does one school make itself appear preferable to the other? Appearance? Lower student/teacher ratios? More choices in courses? Better athletic teams? More attractive extra-curricular activities? A better educated teaching staff (lots of masters’ degrees)? Those are the things that people will look at, and they all cost more money. It seems like school choice will result in higher costs with competition for customers as the model. That might actually be good, but it will be expensive.
If competition means charter schools, how do they have an advantage? If their teachers are good, they won’t work for less than the going rate. They might be smaller which is often better, but it is also more expensive. Better technology? Also more expensive. They might have an advantage in being selective with the less able, more troublesome students being denied enrollment, but how does that play out? Public schools for the undesirables?
Schools aren’t like Marden’s. I like Marden’s, you can get stuff cheap. But I wouldn’t be shopping for cheap when it comes to an education for my children.
Excellent comment Pat.
Read. We have not slipped. We haven’t progressed as far a others, mainly because we had a high base to begin with.
If you don’t provide all of the statistics, like omitting the excellent standings of Maine students compared to the rest of the country, you can spin it in your favor. Oh wait, those previous gains that put us in good shape happened under previous administrations. No wonder those data were ignored.
Oh, snap! Hit him with those pesky facts!
I hate to say I agree with Connory-Martin, but we do need to look at what is working in other places and put them to work here. We also have to come to an understanding that what happens to child from birth to 3 years is absolutely critical to that child’s educational future.
Methinks ye doth protest too much, MSMA.
IMO, you doth protest too much.
Why is every other facet of Maine’s society under attack for not showing improvement when the Governor has no way to measure if he is improving. He certainly isn’t learning to think before he speaks.
Dale Douglas was my jr. High principal very proud of him……..poor Paul needs to remember we have two ears and one mouth and they should be used accordingly
Dale Douglas was my vice principal. Very proud of him…….poor Paul should remember we have two ears and one mouth they should be used accordingly
What doeshe want all teachers to quit so the for profits virtual companiies from Maryland and anywhere else can take over?
That’s what he seems to be pushing. Someone should look into his portfolio.
Those who can…teach; those who can’t teach…administrate; those who can’t administrate…legislate education laws..
Actually I think the saying is; “Those who can do. Those who can’t teach. Those who can’t teach, teach teachers!” At least that is what was said when my wife was in school!
This version of the saying is much more on point and accurate. I love it, thanks Rev. Oleson. The “classic’ one sounds like sour grapes.
You need to stop providing facts and statistics to LePage. It gets him all flustered.
LOL, I noticed that facts are hard for him to deal with. However, his ability to shovel out nastiness seems quite good.
Need to stand up to LePage. He hates unions. Unions created the middle class by forcing employers to pay a fair wage and to provide benefits. As the union movement has been in retreat the middle class is in decline. Stand up. Resist. Occupy.
Propaganda is always an easier sell than a factual statement!
!tnemetats lautcatcaf a naht lles reisae na syawla si adnagaporP
Es tut mir leid, aber ich kin nicht verstanden! Weiderholen sie bitte!
Eins:I too am sorry about your lack of understanding.
Zwei: You really don’t care how well Maine
education compares to the other states.
Drei: You discredit studies that show Maine is in the top 10% in
order to support your misanthropic stance on unions, public education
today’s kids and the middle class.
Vier: Te intelligere stercore
Here we go again! Most posters on this thread are making excuses for failure or attacking the governor.
If we educate to the lowest common denominator, we get poor output from the schools. It is past time that we place a value on the best (spelled brightest) students and move them out of the herd and into the charter schools that will concentrate on graduating the best students with preparation for the best (and most useful) college programs. By doing so we could improve the quality of our graduates, reduce the cost of our secondary sch0ols and also reduce the cost of our c0lleges and universities since we would eliminate most of the “basket weaving” degrees and the left wing idealogues that “teach” them!
When was the last time you even set foot in a public school??
Yesterday!
What is your point?
Word of the day is silly, repeat, silly….
MSMA Executive Director Dale Douglass said, according to MSMA, “Maine ranks in the top tier on the test the Harvard report cited.” If indeed that is the case, and MSMA adopts that ranking then MR. Douglas should consider resigning, and Harvard should consider getting a new measuring stick. For, if Maine is in the top tier then the rest of the country must be archaic.
Most of our youth and young adults can’t make change cashing customers out of any store without a calculator. This is a direct result of not making students learn to do math in their head as it once was. They need to know their times tables, etc. Calculator and computer classes need to be separate classes.
As for English, it is disheartening to listen to out top tier students try to read. They don’t know how to sound out words, and as a result stumble, embarrassingly, through sentences. If you asked them what a syllable was they’d likely ask if that was some kind of a dinosaur.
This can only be the result of faulty educators. Students would learn if properly taught. College professors are now teaching what used to be taught in grade schools, saying students are now coming to us, “ill prepared.”
More money will not educate. All it will do is add more air to an already over inflated balloon. It is not more money that we need; it is truly dedicated educators. We need educators who know and can teach the basics.
By now is ought to be more than obvious that what has been done is not working, neither can it. Governor Lepage, if supported will bring education to a much higher level. What he is proposing will greatly improve education. However, basics will have to become an integral part of his plan if we are o achieve the desired results.
The unions need to bow out. They’re all about money. Education is not on their syllabus.
Disgusted.
Governor LePage has brought only one thing to a higher level of proficiency, achievement, savings, moral or production: his pile of nasty accusations. He has discredited, belittled, lied about and bad mouthed almost everything and every one that is good in Maine.
Studies and statistics show that 10% of charter school students perform better than students in regular public education 60% perform at exactly the same level and 30% perform significantly below the level of regular public schools. The charter schools Le Page is most interested in establishing are two out of state, for profit on-line schools. . One of these schools has an average record of performance. The other school is a money sink of an educational disaster.
LePage’s agenda is to bust unions, cut teacher pay, benefits and pensions, cut school funding and as much as possible privatize education by moving educational dollars out of Maine and into “for profit” educational corporations. LePage is not to be trusted anywhere near Maine’s quality educational system.
Can we improve Maine educational outcomes? Of course, everything can always be made better. It will not get better by berating people and discrediting the work they do.