It’s been exhilarating and exhausting for the past several months. Once the enabling law was passed, we thought the going would get easier. And, indeed, the formation of the new state charter authorizing commission and the critical work of the staff at the Maine Department of Education has meant that implementation of the bill is really happening.
But, the continued intervention of opponents through political channels and the media has made it a rollercoaster ride. The state charter commission did create an application form and process, and 6 of 9 groups that filed “letters of intent” produced actual applications. The results so far: two approved for opening on October 2012; one approved conditionally for fall of 2013; another scheduled for a public hearing on September 11 for an opening in 2013. And the two applications for virtual charter schools were postponed until the commission could get training for reviewing these complicated proposals. There has been a wonderful outpouring of creative ideas and passion by potential charter school founders, as well as diverse locations and themes. Of the first four major applicants, two are in rural areas, one suburban, and one urban. There is a school for at-risk kids with a natural sciences and agriculture theme; a STEM high school; a K-6 village school with individualized education plans and project-based learning; and an early childhood K-2 program based on 10 years work by an existing non-profit arts and science program. The state charter commission has just issued its RFP for new applicants that wish to open in the fall of 2013, with full applications due in October. We are excited to work with these new groups. Given the newness of this movement, all those involved have had a steep learning curve. Our organization is delighted that the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices is supporting Maine’s efforts by sponsoring two days of workshops and training for authorizers and founders in late September. This support is really needed, especially since the federal Charter School Planning Grants for SEAs has no money this year. What bad timing for a small state like Maine! It has also been difficult to persuade conservative members of foundation boards to understand and support the public charter school efforts. Hopefully, we’ll have better news on this front by next year. Image via www.mainecharterschools.org Authors Judith Jones and Roger Brainerd work for the Maine Association for Charter Schools.
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