Maine loses out on federal money for school reform
Maine's application for $75 million in Race to the Top funding falls short in competition scoring.
From staff and wire reports
Maine is out of the running for a share of $4.35 billion in federal Race to the Top education reform money.
The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that 18 states and Washington, D.C., are finalists in the second round of a funding competition paid for with economic stimulus money.
Maine's application for up to $75 million fell short in competition scoring, while New England neighbors Massachusetts and Rhode Island made the list of finalists.
Maine was among 36 applicants for money in the education reform competition's second round. Those with scores of 400 and above were named finalists.
There will be no further opportunities for Maine to seek Race to the Top funding unless additional money is allocated to the program in the future, said David Connerty-Marin, spokesman for the Maine Department of Education.
Losing out on Race to the Top funding won't stop Maine schools from pursuing various improvement plans, according to Angela Faherty, Maine's acting commissioner of education.
"Our application is a blueprint for moving Maine's education action plan forward," she said. "We continue to seek sources of funding to support our work."
Maine recently received $7.3 million in federal education funding to develop a data collection system to examine student progress from early childhood until they enter the work force.
And earlier this week, Maine submitted a request for $7.6 million to support efforts to increase the graduation rate in high schools with low rates of graduation, Faherty said.
In the coming months, Maine will begin implementing the national Common Core standards and promoting the significant expansion of early childhood education in public schools.
The federal agency has posted all state applications on its website, www.ed.gov.
The Pine Tree State's 200-page application proposed creating a system of "personalized learning" that would allow students to pursue high school diplomas by mastering course materials at their own pace.
The application says all Maine school districts would be required to develop learning support systems to keep struggling students in all grade levels on track.
Maine's application also included multiple mentions of the state's Learning Technology Initiative and its Jobs for Maine's Graduates program. The application proposed using award money to expand both programs, though it didn't detail the scope of the expansions.
The technology initiative is a first-in-the-nation program that equips all seventh- and eighth-graders with laptops. The program was expanded into many Maine high schools last year, though the state provide minimal funding for the expansion.
Jobs for Maine's Graduates is a nonprofit organization with programs in more than 60 public schools that target students at risk of not finishing high school, offering them tutoring help and equipping them with work-readiness skills.
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43 COMMENTS
Do2nT said...
Refusal by the MEA to agree to some of the conditions asked for in the proposal doomed Maine's prospects for additional funding. Look at who the Union is supporting in the various political races this fall and send a "love note" to them.
July 28, 2010 at 12:39 AM Report abuse
PAJ said...
And this would surprise us why??? Ditto re Do2nT comments
July 28, 2010 at 3:27 AM Report abuse
MainelyJack said...
"Maine Loses" should be tatooed on the forehead of every Democrat in Augusta.
July 28, 2010 at 5:43 AM Report abuse
Govt2Big said...
This is yet another failure for the lame Baldacci Administration but our kids will be the ones who really suffer from this missed opportunity. Don’t forget, the MEA leaders are also partially responsible for this failure.
July 28, 2010 at 6:39 AM Report abuse
Dhiff said...
Looks like parents will have to step up and help teachers educate their children.
July 28, 2010 at 6:56 AM Report abuse
MainenCrisis said...
Not surprised, we spend more than the national average and we spend half our school days as half days and the rest teaching to the ever changing assesment tests. Maine schools are a big FAIL!
July 28, 2010 at 6:58 AM Report abuse
DasBoot said...
The Dems will fix this by throwing more money at it cause it's for the children. They're disgusting.
July 28, 2010 at 7:08 AM Report abuse
FlyingPoint said...
This is terrible, everyone knows there is no way for Maine to improve education without dumping more money on the FAILED school system.
July 28, 2010 at 7:28 AM Report abuse
Hadley said...
No big surprise here. Maine's application was far from innovative, gave far too much control to the unions, and refused to even consider charter schools. The program scoring is based on shifting focus from the unions and back to the students. Maine chose not to do that and therefore chose to not be a serious contender.
July 28, 2010 at 7:38 AM Report abuse
ProBiz said...
No excuses Maine! The people who continue to run this state into the ground are losers and continue to lose where we whould be winning. Get people in office who actually want to make this state one of the leaders of the US like it should be.
July 28, 2010 at 7:55 AM Report abuse
hallowellboy said...
"Maine doesn't need or want the money". Are you serious? Vote Collins and Snowe again to ensure you won't get it.
July 28, 2010 at 8:03 AM Report abuse
Biddy said...
We need to revert to more local control of schools. The one size fits all idea of state control stifles ingenuity, new ideas, and is costly.
July 28, 2010 at 8:06 AM Report abuse
Smith261 said...
Where's that Chellie when you need her?
July 28, 2010 at 8:23 AM Report abuse
cranky-yank said...
No tragedy in this one. Yes, our schools need better funding, but the "Race To The Top" is a failure waiting to happen, just like NCLB. It is flawed, flawed, flawed. It contains NO, NADA, NONE, accountability for learning on the part of the STUDENTS. There is no provision in RTTT to hold parents accountable for getting their children to school, making them do their school work, or keeping them from being disruptive. Too bad most of the commenters, or the people who put together NCLB and RTTT have spent a day in a public school classroom since they left high school (if some of them even got that far).
July 28, 2010 at 8:25 AM Report abuse
TiredMainer said...
Do2nt. You nailed it right on the head. The MEA is at fault. Remember the the MEA will strongly back any Democrat this November. Any teachers out there who have an open mind, please vote for a change in Augusta before it's too late.
July 28, 2010 at 9:19 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
Hummm I remember when the lottery was introduced in Maine in the early 70,s. I also remember hearing the argument for the upside of having the lottery would be the "proceeds" to go to support education and would be the "answer" to funding gaps. What happened?
July 28, 2010 at 9:20 AM Report abuse
JST said...
Hey "cranky-yank said"... How long have you belonged to the MEA?
July 28, 2010 at 9:46 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
The original concept of the State School Board setting standards, and raising the 'bar' as it sees fit; and lobbying for equitable funding disappeared under the reign of Gendron and her drive to socialize education along the lines of Canadian provinces, but without the subsidies private schools, including religious ones, get from the Provincial governments. I predicted that the next layer up, the Federal government just might do the same; and right now a majority of States have agreed to meet national standards, and take national tests. DEMS' arrogantly assumed the Obama administration would rubber stamp their application; Steve Bowen of MHCP sliced & diced the application and in effect, said it met nearly none of the RACE TO THE TOP criteria and goals. He was right; Baldacci & the Dem's were wrong; Maine's poor children lose....again!
July 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM Report abuse
Portcitylive said...
I am not always sure that money is the answer to all problems. I would like to know from all of you that say that Maine schools are failing, how do the graduation rates of Maine schools stack up against other states? What percentage of Maine graduates go on to college and how does that compare with other states? What percentage of our budget goes into schools as opposed to other states? I am not a memeber of MEA, but holding teachers, students and their families accountable is not a bad idea. Performance measures for all of them should be instituted.
July 28, 2010 at 10:16 AM Report abuse
Gary said...
jake007, I remember that promise, also. I would guess that like all other cash laying around in Augusta, lottery proceeds got sucked into the "black hole" known as the General Fund years ago. I'm sure the money is going to good use paying for some entitlement program ,though!
July 28, 2010 at 10:22 AM Report abuse
MainenCrisis said...
Actually biddy we really need some continuity in all maine schools we dont have now. One school system teaches new math, the town next door teaches traditional math, one has this day off another that day off, they all need to start on the smae day end on the smae day, use the same texts books and a fifth grade class in portland should be on the same chapter in the same science book learning the same basic stuff on the same week of the school year as the kids in Millinoket! There is far too much autonomy as it is. Heck my kids never even had text books to refer too when they were stuck on their homework....seriously for what we pay this is the best we can do? DISGUSTING!
July 28, 2010 at 10:34 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
Maine's schools have been heavily funded by ESEA-now NCLB monies since the Sixties. I'll admit you need a scorecard to keep up with the constantly shifting funds that flow from the Federal government through the DOE and eventually into Maine Schools...I don't have one, but the last time I checked, Maine got over $54m under NCLB and despite declining enrollment---plunging even further, it got more each year. I have a feeling that Maine won't be getting any more money after the stimulus money runs out; and that will require even more serious cuts to the State share of local budgets....the real expert is Jim Rier of DOE...he should have been called for an impact analysis.
July 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM Report abuse
T3V0aG91c2VSYXQ%3D said...
The education system today is what our healthcare system will be soon. A bloated, ineffective ball of red tape that caters to nobody except unions and government employees. We are becoming sheep, every day just following the bell in hopes of finding a mouth full of grass on our way to slaughter.
July 28, 2010 at 11:59 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
Obama's "bait and switch" is an affront to the teachers in this country. I am glad we didn't take the bait....Dhiff is right on the money...when the parents get really involved in THER children's education (like mine did) we'll have better results. Biddy, you are WRONG, we need a contemporary, effective, uniform, core curriculum to insure that "loco" control doesn't end up like that farce in Texas...
July 28, 2010 at 12:27 PM Report abuse
MSH said...
*THEIR*
July 28, 2010 at 12:32 PM Report abuse
notspot said...
Funny...My high honor roll kids aren't lacking for an education here...But, please, continue the whine.
July 28, 2010 at 12:41 PM Report abuse
Gary said...
Notspot, funny, I once new an extremely well educated and very intelligent family...Superiority is so nice.
July 28, 2010 at 12:46 PM Report abuse
LarrySellers said...
LMAO...notspot wait until your "high honor roll" kid goes out into the real world and tries to compete internationally! Biddy is RIGHT and I would simply ask where the central control approach stemmed from in the first place? Well it's simply the progressive, socialists, such as MSH, who moronically continue to call for a strong centralized approach to everything under the sun. Well MSH, if you haven't figured it out yet, the centralized approach ALWAYS fails. Just look at education, our monetary system (fed reserve), housing (fannie and freddie), etc. etc. Of course, you haven't figured it out and never will because your nothing but a stuborn marxist. Oh well, at least the majority of other folks get it and we'll just roll right past you in bringing actual change to our failed, centralized systems.
July 28, 2010 at 12:55 PM Report abuse
BSmart said...
A freakin' CONTEST for school funding????? Are you KIDDING??? Here's how it should work. X number of students, X number of dollars per student for EVERY state, exactly the SAME. How screwed up is this country?
July 28, 2010 at 1:17 PM Report abuse
bess said...
I think every state should also have the same text books.Only in America can a student enter their Freshman year of High School at the age of 18, be handed a diploma at the age of 25 after spending several years in the local school districts individual learning center and have it be called a SUCCESSFUl graduation.
July 28, 2010 at 1:25 PM Report abuse
notspot said...
"I once new" What happened to the old family, Gary?
July 28, 2010 at 1:28 PM Report abuse
jaysee said...
thw dems are now trying to figure out to raise taxes to make up for this loss...
July 28, 2010 at 2:32 PM Report abuse
bess said...
Gary, Notspot, maybe this is what happened to that family. http://oldnfo.blogspot.com/2009/11/ant-and-grasshopper-new-version.html
July 28, 2010 at 2:34 PM Report abuse
JMY1 said...
If we didn't get the money are `our taxes going down?
July 28, 2010 at 2:43 PM Report abuse
SL said...
So we showed the nation that our state govt cant write a comprehensive proposal. BUT it can write a proposal that forces school districts to spend boatloads of cash on 'personalized' learning. Why? Isn't the four year plan working?
July 28, 2010 at 4:12 PM Report abuse
common_cents said...
BESS...text books are obsolete,on-line, interactive content providers are in; as are CD roms. Because TEXAS buys theoverwhelming majority of textbooks, most schools in the U.S. wind up using them, providing a homogeneity among similar classes.
July 28, 2010 at 5:45 PM Report abuse
MSH said...
Dear Mr. Cellars, Please read my posts before you RANT. I said a basic, uniform CORE curriculum was needed (so you could compare apples to apples) and then ADD what ever doodads you wish. I notice you didn't touch my commentary on Texas...Guess you'll be happy if your kids learn that the earth is flat...
July 28, 2010 at 5:56 PM Report abuse
MSH said...
Nice try, commotion-dense. Right.....using text books that question the Separation of Church and State and promotes the "idea" that this Country is a "christian nation" is the only way to go (Texas "curriculum")...if you're GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET...
July 28, 2010 at 6:02 PM Report abuse
Josey+Wales said...
Now if we use the Miane legislatures math, they are short $75 million for education.
July 28, 2010 at 6:47 PM Report abuse
LarrySellers said...
LMAO, no comment on the Texas statement because it simply displays your bigoted ignorance and lack of tolerance for ALL Americans. Who cares what they choose to teach their kids in Texas? You know VERY WELL that no is teaching their kids that the earth is flat. That is simply an ignorant exageration of fact and does diservice to the freedom and diversty of thought that has made this country so great. My point is that parents should have a choice in where to send their kids to receive the education THEY feel is best. Why do you progressive socialist want to control everyone else through your centralized, core curriculum so much? You claim we should celebrate diversity but then turn around and say everyone should have the same "core", centralized curriculum. You claim you are "Pro Choice" on abortion but turn around and limit choice in alomost every other facet of our society. I'm sorry but that is a marxist approach...I noticed you didn't deny being a control freak marxist.
July 28, 2010 at 8:52 PM Report abuse
brightOne said...
Do I hear the right complaining that we're not spending the people's money fast enough? What hypocrisy.
July 29, 2010 at 7:18 AM Report abuse
RickD said...
Lets not blame Pingree for this loss; she only does what Pelosi tells her to do. This is just another prime example of life in Maine under decades of Democratic Party control of Augusta. Until Maine voters wake up, nothing is going to change.
July 29, 2010 at 9:13 AM Report abuse
OldMainer2 said...
We already spend too much money and get too little education in return from the MEA crowd. Teachers that work 3/4 of a day for 7 months a year, but make $50,000+ a year plus lifetime healthcare plus fat retirement benefits. How dare we expect them to educate our children too. You guys just don't understand.
July 29, 2010 at 10:41 AM Report abuse