News Brief

05/01/13

LePage, Bowen Unveil New Grading System for Public Schools

WABI-TV 5 (ME) (05/01/13) Poindexter, Rob

In his State of the State Address, Maine Gov. Paul LePage unveiled a new grading system for the state's public schools, each of which will receive their own A-F letter grade. For elementary schools, math and reading proficiency -- measured by standardized assessments and progress -- will be equally weighted to determine a grade. High schools will see math and reading account for 80 percent of their grade, with four- and five-year graduation rates accounting for the remaining 20 percent. State Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen says, "We want school board members' phones to ring. We want superintendents' and principals' phones to ring. We want people, we want parents to start thinking about what is their role in all of this. What do they do to support these kids and what is their role in making sure these students succeed." About 69 percent of high schools earned an "A", "B," or "C" grade, and 31 percent earned a grade of "D" or "F." Gov. LePage says he wants to use about $3 million to help schools with lower grades improve. For more information, go here.
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