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An Order Establishing The Task Force To Create Seamless Pre-Kindergarten Through Sixteenth Grade Educational Systems
March 26, 2004
12 FY 04/05
WHEREAS, the State of Maine must make more investments in economic growth and job creation; and
WHEREAS, the State has established a goal of building a knowledge-based economy and raising incomes to the national average by 2010; and
WHEREAS, affordable, quality education is key to economic growth; and
WHEREAS, efficiency in the delivery of Pre-Kindergarten through Sixteenth grade education is necessary to maximize investments in education and service to students; and
WHEREAS, Maine seeks to increase the percentage of Maine’s adults with four year college degrees to 30% of adults and to raise its high school-to-college rate from 55% to 70%; and
WHEREAS, every individual can learn, regardless of income, gender, race, ethnicity, geographic isolation or disability and deserves an equal opportunity to high quality public education; and
WHEREAS, the Community College System and the University of Maine System established a Coordinating Advisory Committee in 2003 to increase collaboration; and
WHEREAS, the Governor set a goal in January 2004 of taking more steps to connect all levels of public education and the Commissioner of Education, Chancellor of the University of Maine System and President of the Community College System have been meeting in furtherance of that goal; and
WHEREAS, greater collaboration between education professionals at all levels will lead to an integrated and enhanced learning experience for students, as well as improved employment stability, self-reliance, and civic engagement for citizens of the State:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby establish The Task Force to Create a Seamless Pre-Kindergarten through Sixteenth Grade Educational System as follows
- Duties
The Task Force is charged with recommending to the Governor a strategy that develops seamless Pre-Kindergarten through Sixteenth grade educational systems in the State of Maine. To that end, the Task Force shall:
a. Examine options for planning, efficiencies and spending reform across Pre-Kindergarten through Sixteenth grade educational systems in Maine; b. Examine all components of Pre-Kindergarten through Sixteenth grade educational systems in Maine to remove barriers to student movement between the sectors, including strategies for sharing academic performance data across sectors; c. Examine pre-kindergarten to public school transition issues, educational aspirations of Maine students and needs of students who are first in their families to seek post-secondary education; d. Examine finance models for systems with universal access; and e. Identify strategies that promote college readiness and college success for all.
- Procedure
The Task Force shall be led by the Commissioner of Education and be composed of the Chancellor of the University of Maine System, the President of the Community College System and eighteen (18) other members, appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Task Force shall meet at times and places called by the Commissioner with assistance from the Governor’s Office and state agencies as necessary and appropriate to carry out its activities from existing resources. The members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
- Final Report
The Task Force shall submit a final report to the Governor by January 15, 2005. The final report must include recommendations for creating seamless Pre-Kindergarten through Sixteenth grade educational systems. Upon submission of the final report, the Task Force and the authority of this Executive Order shall dissolve.
Effective Date
The effective date of this Executive Order is March 26, 2004.
