If Mid Coast Mainers Don't Want National Standards...

Nationally -- the move to implement National Standards, which dangles 'Race to the Top' funding for successful participants (Maine hasn't received any of these funds to date), sounds promising at first read but, in reality, TAKES CONTROL OF EDUCATION OUT OF THE HANDS OF PARENTS, CITIZENS AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS/ADMINISTRATORS AND PLACES IT IN THE HANDS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. If you feel the Federal government will make better choices for your child than you make, then do nothing; otherwise, write, call, email your State appointed and elected officials and speak out. Here are your contacts:

Arrowsic - House District 61 - W. Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay) - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc)
Bath - House District 62 - Vacant - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc)
Bath - House District 65 - Peter S. Kent (D-Woolwich) - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc)
Georgetown - House District 61 - W. Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay) - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc)
Phippsburg - House District 64 - Leila J. Percy (D-Phippsburg) - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc)
West Bath - House District 64 - Leila J. Percy (D-Phippsburg) - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc) West Bath - House District 65 - Peter S. Kent (D-Woolwich) - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc)
Woolwich - House District 65 - Peter S. Kent (D-Woolwich) - Senate District 19 - Seth A. Goodall (D-Sagadahoc)

Maine State Board of Education members attached; their credentials can be reviewed at this link: http://www.maine.gov/education/sb/members.htm

Each of these people needs to know that Mainers don't want National Standards for education to be implemented in Maine. Most of us would rather have input into the Standards and see our teachers actually teaching our children real information, processes, strategies, etc. and imparting learning than see them teaching to bi-weekly, minimum proficiency tests.

October 3, 2010 8:22 PM