AUGUSTA — A report unveiled by Maine’s education commissioner says schools need more flexibility to try new methods and place more emphasis on real-life learning experiences.

Commissioner Stephen Bowen today presented a report listing shortcomings in Maine’s public school system and ways to fix them. It stems from Bowen’s statewide tour of nine school districts last year.

The report says Maine’s high school graduation rate remains unacceptably low and test-based accountability efforts don’t work.

The report says more internships and apprenticeships are needed and students should have more say in planning learning activities and here should be better teacher evaluation systems.

It also proposes more “anytime, anywhere” education, including expanded access to digital learning, and steps that allow students to move at their own pace.