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.
