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Gov. Paul LePage continued his effort to promote school choice today by employing an old governor's trick – designating a special day.

LePage proclaimed July 31, 2012 as “Milton Friedman Day.” The  influential free-market economist was born 100 years ago today and died in 2006. In his proclamation, LePage emphasized Friedman's support for school choice, something LePage says would boost student performance in Maine.

But a close look at LePage's own press release suggests it's a little more complicated than that. Here is what the news release says:

Maine’s educational goals align with Friedman’s vision: all children should have the right to the highest-quality schools possible. Research suggests that providing children with multiple schooling options improves academic performance.... Friedman’s ideas have also helped lead to positive education reform in countries such as Chile and Sweden.

Did you say Sweden?

Last week, LePage cited a Harvard University study of student achievement test trends in 41 states and 49 countries as evidence of Maine's failing education efforts. He noted that Maine's rate of improvement was among the slowest among the states studied. (He also drew criticism for saying this: "I don't care where you go in this country -- if you come from Maine, you're looked down upon.")

In that same Harvard study, Chile had the second fastest rate of improvement in test scores among  the countries studied. Friedman's ideas at work? Maybe. However, Sweden was dead last among the nations and actually saw its test scores drop at a dramatic rate, according to the study. Probably not the best model for school choice in Maine.

To be fair, the Harvard study doesn't say anything about which states and countries have the best education systems, only which ones had the biggest improvements in certain test scores from 1995 to 2009. And there clearly is a lot more going on behind the numbers than Friedman and school choice, or the lack of choice.

In any case, Happy Milton Friedman Day.

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Open Season targets all of Maine's political wildlife, from Portland city government to the donkeys, elephants and independents stalking the Statehouse and U.S. Capitol.

John Richardson joined the Press Herald in 1990 after working as a reporter in New Jersey. He has covered a variety of beats, including marine issues, the environment and health care. He is now covering politics and focusing on Maine's U.S. Senate race.
John can be reached at 791-6324 or jrichardson@pressherald.com
On Twitter: @jrichmaine

Colin Woodard has covered politics and elections for more than two decades, from Bosnia and Bucharest to Washington, D.C., Augusta, and Portland City Hall. He has written for a wide range of national and international publications and is the author of four books, including "American Nations," a history of North America's regional cultures. He joined the Portland Press Herald at the end of April and covers political finance and lobbying, among other things.
Colin can be reached at 791-6317 or cwoodard@pressherald.com

Susan Cover has covered Maine politics for 10 years and worked in Kansas, Ohio and Rhode Island as a reporter. This year, she is focusing on covering the same-sex marriage debate for MaineToday Media.
Susan can be reached at 621-5643 or scover@mainetoday.com

Michael Shepherd joined MaineToday Media in May 2012 after graduating from the University of Maine in Orono, where he edited The Maine Campus, the student newspaper there. Until November he'll be writing the Truth Test, a recurring feature analyzing political statements and advertising.
Michael can be reached at 621-5632 or mshepherd@mainetoday.com

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