Posted by John Marr

Matt Wolcott introduced our speaker, Dr. Judith Jones, Chair of the Maine Association for Charter Schools (MACS), who started by saying she has always believed that education and health are the keys to overcoming poverty. After a career in public education in a variety of positions ranging from education planning to policy positions, she moved to Maine in 1998 with her husband to “settle down.”  

Judith has been at the forefront of the development of charter schools in Maine, and presented her thoughts on the movement that began 30 years ago in the U.S. Today there are 7000 charter schools across 44 States and D.C, with 3.2 million students. Maine has 9 charter schools, currently serving 2240 students from over 100 towns and growing. 

A charter school is free and open to all students, non-selective. One of the words that Judith kept referring back to was accountability. All charter schools are bound by contracts with their respective states, agreements that state how the school will operate and be accountable for student achievement. The result is that every charter school can be different, each one carving out its own policies, budget, and curriculum. The contract must be accepted and approved by the State, and each school is given a periodic performance review. Maine’s review is every five years. This enabling legislation carefully spelled out the goals and operating practices of the charter schools. It was a model for other states, and for some time was “ranked” as the best in the country. It's still considered one of the 10 best. 

Driving the rationale is that when students are limited to a school choice based solely on their geographical location, they only know the socio-climate they live in. Many parents seek other opportunities, with innovative curriculums for their children, and do not want to be bound by one choice of their local public school. There are two sides to the issue, and those who are against charter schools cite systems that have low budget facilities, inexperienced teachers, and lower performance scores. Judith pointed to the fact that Maine developed legislation with a high bar for performance, and resistance has for the most part faded in Maine. She also noted that the charter school program has received strong bi-partisan support in the state. 

(Photo L-R: Matt Wolcott, Dr. Judith Jones and President John Curran.)

Budgets are frugal, and one of the challenges is that charter schools are not funded with federal or state funds. The school can receive public funding based on the number of students, age, and types of programs offered. It can also receive public and private grants and donations.

Charter schools are seen by supporters as offering distinct choices, while those who aren’t convinced, worry that they will be siphoning off funding from public schools. Dr. Jones pointed out that the funding goes with the student, thus limiting the impact charter schools impose on any system while offering options for those in need. The enabling legislation, which Dr. Jones helped to develop, sets the parameters and protections that guide and govern the schools. The legislation is expansive and allows for advances in education, such as virtual schools which take advantage of technology and respond to individual needs.

The Maine Association of Charter Schools has achieved the success to date by following a rather simple formula. To begin with they work closely with the local community and enjoy a great deal of volunteer assistance. They steadfastly follow enabling legislation that clearly delineates the means and expectations of performance. Finally, they are focused and able to concentrate on specific needs. Proof of the success of charter schools is the fact that each has a waiting list and graduates have a very high rate of matriculation to college.

To learn more about charter schools, check out the website at mainecharterschools.org.