Literacy

Files in the Education series were created from 1984 through 1994. Material contains background information, reports, statistics, program catalogs, correspondence, memos, and drafts of legislation. Information can be found on all types of educational programs with an emphasis on education in Maine: special education and transitional programs; elementary, secondary, and high school education; higher education; vocational education; community education; preschool education; teacher education; and remedial education.

Issues discussed include: professional teaching standards; policy for school systems; assessment of educational systems; importance of preschool programs; parent or professional educational support groups; school performance standards; student loan policy; and the importance of vocational training programs and their relationship to the quality of the labor force. Specific discussions relate to seeking appropriations in support of higher education programs in Maine; the America 2000 program; questions of student loan default rates; specific scholarship programs; Chapter One programs; the Reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act in 1989; and the merits of lengthening of the school day. Files exist on most Maine colleges and universities.

Legislation in this area includes the Kennedy/Hatfield math and science bill that passed in 1990; the Romer and Bingaman legislation on establishment of a National Education Report Card; the Hunt/Dodd legislation on professional teaching standards. Work on Education issues was done primarily by Grace Reef, and also by Christine Williams, Kim Wallace, and Estelle Lavoie. The Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources is responsible for legislation concerning education. The earlier education files of Estelle Lavoie reside in the Early Legislative Files series.