Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

November 1, 2013

Investment needed, says Educate Maine report

A business-led coalition focused on the link between Maine’s educational system and its economic health has issued a report that calls for more investment in education at all levels.

The Bangor Daily News reported the Educate Maine group, which includes school administrators, set out a goal for half of Mainers to have a college degree, certificate or industry credential by 2023, a percentage that would put the state on par with educational attainment projections for the rest of New England.

The report found that Maine’s rate of pre-kindergarten enrollment, at 43%, is lower than the New England average of 56%. At the high-school level, while nearly 85% of Mainers graduate high school, the report estimated that only around 48% of high school juniors are proficient in reading and math. In turn, the report said that the need for remedial coursework after high school lowers a student’s chance for success in higher-education programs.

The report lays out 10 performance indicators for Maine’s educational system.

Mike Dubyak, CEO of WEX Inc. and chairman of Educate Maine, said during a press conference Thursday that the group of business, education and community leaders will use the report to guide lobbying efforts and reforms to improve the state’s education system.

Sign up for Enews

Comments

Order a PDF