Please check out Seth Koenig's article in today's Brunswick Times-Record. Having expended so many words myself trying to get MES off the ground, it is SO nice to see a thoughtful writer bring these ideas into the public sphere the old-fashioned way.
And if you can help us make the ideas a reality with a financial donation before the end of the year, please do. Use our Network for Good online donation link, or if you’d prefer to donate by check, make the check out to LearningWorks (our fiscal agent) and write Maine Enterprise Schools in the subject line.
Our address is:
Maine Enterprise Schools
PO Box 854 Brunswick, ME 04011
We look forward to working together in the New Year - please visit our InnovationMaine blog to learn more the policy work we're doing to make it all possible.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Rural Charter Schools work!
This story from Oregon gives lots of hope for those in small communities in Maine that may, or in some cases already have, seen their schools close.
"With dwindling enrollment and a state funding crisis, Hughes told community members the 130-student K-12 school -- split between two buildings -- would likely have to close its doors within two to three years. Now, nearly three years later, Elkton has new computers, new curriculum and materials and nearly 80 new students.
What changed? Elkton became a charter school."
"With dwindling enrollment and a state funding crisis, Hughes told community members the 130-student K-12 school -- split between two buildings -- would likely have to close its doors within two to three years. Now, nearly three years later, Elkton has new computers, new curriculum and materials and nearly 80 new students.
What changed? Elkton became a charter school."
Monday, December 20, 2010
Charter schools suddenly 'relevant'
The charter school meeting hosted by the Maine Association of Charter Schools did indeed make clear that charters are relevant and that they are likely to happen. The 50 or so folks gathered on Thursday represented a very broad spectrum - legislators, school superintendents and potential charter school operators.
What was most exciting about the meeting is the degree to which folks who might not be seen as allies on most issues were able to find genuine common ground on the need to innovate. I spoke with a newly elected Republican legislator and a long-time liberal activist who were agreeing word for word with each other on how a well-structured charter law could help meet the needs of the young people in their very similar towns.
What continues to be discouraging is the lack of sophistication of some of the public debate surrounding charters, which came through quite loudly in the Portland Press Herald's article. My problem here is not with Mr. Stone's reporting - he has to report what is being said, and did a much better job of highlighting some of the many variables, rather than just perpetuating the myths.
What was most exciting about the meeting is the degree to which folks who might not be seen as allies on most issues were able to find genuine common ground on the need to innovate. I spoke with a newly elected Republican legislator and a long-time liberal activist who were agreeing word for word with each other on how a well-structured charter law could help meet the needs of the young people in their very similar towns.
What continues to be discouraging is the lack of sophistication of some of the public debate surrounding charters, which came through quite loudly in the Portland Press Herald's article. My problem here is not with Mr. Stone's reporting - he has to report what is being said, and did a much better job of highlighting some of the many variables, rather than just perpetuating the myths.
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