Paul LePage on Education

2011: Signed onto Common Core, but now skeptical

{Opponents Mike Michaud & Eliot] Cutler both diverted attention from the standards, developed by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, which have been adopted by all but a few states.

"I think teachers are sick of being pushed from pillar to post," Cutler said, advocating trying those standards for a number of years before tweaking them.

At least three states have repealed using the Common Core standards and in April 2013, the Republican National Committee adopted a resolution opposing the standards [including a possible repeal in Maine].

Strong support for charter schools, virtual or otherwise

Their views differ from that of Gov. Paul LePage, whose strong support for charter schools, virtual or otherwise, has been well-established since he took office in 2011. The Republican governor has pushed for the expansion of school choice and sees charter schools--independently run schools that operate on public dollars but often offer alternative curricula--as an important piece of that.

The State Senate proposed a one-year moratorium on for-profit virtual charter schools. The bill, which could keep Maine Connections Academy from opening this fall, awaits further votes in the Legislature. LePage has said that he would veto any moratorium

Virtual charter schools are not the right answer

Michaud's campaign spokeswoman said the candidate is less likely to warm up to virtual charter schools, even after a one-year moratorium: "A number of studies have found that virtual charter schools don't serve students well. Students in virtual charter schools failed to meet Adequate Yearly Progress at rates that are worse than traditional public schools."

Michaud said he supports technological advances in the classroom but not the virtual charter schools approach. "Maine has an opportunity to create innovative virtual learning tools, but it needs to be done right," he said. "What we need is a student-focused, Maine-based solution that brings innovation to the classroom."

Supports vouchers, local control and charter schools