Friday, July 30, 2004
Room 107, Cross State Office Building
9:30am – 3:30pm
I. Introductions
II. Suzan Cameron – Overview of Enrollment
* Potential loss of 28,000 students in K-12 educational system.
* 8,000 have been lost in the last five years.
* Discussion of the examination of special education eligibility by a Task Force reporting to the State Board of Education. Pilots will be looking at implications of consistent eligibility determination.
* 5,200 students in Big 11 schools and 4,000 students are home schooled, 1,200 students in unorganized territories.
* Joe Westphal – We need to examine the impact of teacher retirement, what do we need to do in higher education. Need to examine salary scales for teachers.
* 6,800 teachers with 19 or more years in teaching.
III. Michael Montagna – State Planning Office
Examined:
* Structure
* Trends
* Current Condition
* Outlook
* Handout provided
General Sense:
* Healthier state than the other New England states
* Job growth optimistic
* Income growth optimistic
* Manufacturing sector is declining—expected to continue to decline
* Disparity across the regions need to be examined in more detail. Aroostook has increased most recently in population with the newest census.
* Out migration of youth has changed in southern Maine 2002, 2003
* Joe Westphal indicated the University to track the student migration and the economy—they are finding that the migration flow is changing.
IV. Conceptual framework—Commissioner Gendron shared the elements in place and areas that need to be focused on. (Handout provided)
* Joe Westphal shared the work underway with the University: Admissions and Financial Aid are being approached through two Task Forces. Will do an in-depth presentation at the next meeting. Admissions is looking at K-12 and Community College connections. Financial aid—are allocating more to aid from other areas (due to low state funding). Concerned about Higher Education Act.
* Work with Community College system:
-- 2 + 2 concept
-- Education opportunities across the state
-- creation of “super” articulation agreements
* Distance Learning – has been an areas of focus. How can it be utilized more effectively?
* John Fitzsimmons—shared the work of the community colleges:
-- University 90% of the programs are Associate Degree programs.
-- 90% have articulation to Bachelors programs.
-- Over 500 students are at USM for community colleges.
* K-12 relationship: Traditionally the adults were the focus (average age = 28)
-- Had not been focused a high school
-- K-12 enrollment up 26% in last few years
-- Will continue to reach into K-12 system
* Adult education—scholarships
-- Need to look at our adult work force
* Henry Bourgeois raised a question about the relationships between vocational high schools and technical college now Community College
* Senator Martin—feels that relationship needs to be focused upon
V. Reflections
* Need to know all the initiatives underway
* Consolidate commissions and Task Forces strategies and recommendations. Determine what has worked.
* Retirees are migrating in to the State and are serving on boards and commissions
Aspirations:
* Students of low-income families are not motivated to go on to higher education
* Challenge for all students to apply for higher education
* Need to impact parents (could utilize concepts from GEAR UP)
* Guidance counselors should begin career discussions in elementary school
* Alignment of aspirations of parent, students, teaches and guidance counselors
Alignment:
* Examine depth of curriculum
* Eliminate tracking
* Integration, streamlining
* Need to examine the gaps between middle/high school college
Quality
Preparation:
* Teacher preparation and guidance preparation should address modes of teaching
* Commit to upgrading the Quality of Teaching
-- Salary
-- Support
-- Masters level required by some districts (Aroostook requires teachers ot have obtained within 7 years – district pays)
-- Number of temporary certificates
-- Number of teachers by degree level
-- Presentation on certification and alternative certification
Technology:
-- ITV
-- ATM
-- Cross communication
-- Task Force to examine infrastructure
Fiscal:
* Economic relevant to our task
* School governance is an example of varied approaches – consider how change will work from the ground up
VI. Vision was refined. Mission statement was developed. Five goals were drafted.
Task Force Vision:
All Maine people will be prepared to engage successfully as citizens, professionals, and life-long learners.
Task Force
Mission/Charge:
Maine will achieve this vision, in part, by creating high-quality early childhood through grade sixteen educational systems that are accessible and integrated.
Broad Goals:
1) Align curricular requirements, assessments and expectations across all levels of education to ensure college readiness and college success for all.
2) Create a culture and mechanisms to support and increase the educational aspirations of all students and to address the needs of first generation students seeking postsecondary education.
3) Ensure quality preparation and professional development for teachers, counselors, and other educational personnel that transmits these goals and vision.
4) Secure stable, predictable financial resources to achieve these goals and vision.
5) Ensure wise stewardship of financial, human, technological and material resources.
6) Maximize the use of technology to enhance delivery of education and professional development, to gather and manage data, to create economies and efficiencies across our educational systems, and to monitor our progress toward achievement of these goals and mission.
Strategies: