A new law giving states more say could lead to changes in how teacher and student success is measured here.
Noel K. Gallagher
Noel Gallagher covers K-12 and higher education issues statewide. Her stories are a mix of breaking news and trend stories. In recent years, theyโve ranged from why college costs so much, the launch of the stateโs first charter schools, how a school welcomed a transgender student and why Maine schools have a hard time finding teachers. Sheโs enough of a news nerd to enjoy sitting through legislative education committee meetings and hours-long school board meetings so you donโt have to.
The Maine Press Association has honored Noelโs work, but she says she writes for the readers, in the firm belief that an informed citizenry is key to a healthy democracy.
Noel is a California native who has worked at wire services, online websites and newspapers across the country. She was in Washington D.C. during the early Clinton years, covering AIDS activism in 1990s San Francisco, documenting the business of wine in Sonoma County and riding out the boom and bust cycle of the early Internet era in early 2000s Silicon Valley. She arrived in Maine at the beginning of the recession and wrote quite a bit about the downturn here.
In her free time, Noel writes the occasional cookbook review, spends an inordinate amount of time at the Portland Public Library and hangs out with her three fabulous kids and wonderful husband. She is not a former member of the band Oasis.
Maine families join effort to hold El Faro’s owners fully liable in sinking
A federal court ruled in November that TOTE Maritime’s liability was capped at about $15 million in the maritime disaster that claimed 33 lives, including four Mainers.
Special education students drawn to Maine charter schools
Relatively small classes and individualized attention may account for enrollment that’s at more than twice the national rate.
Saco Middle School teacher wins $25,000 Milken award
Michaela Lamarre, who teaches eighth-grade science, is one of 40 teachers nationwide to win this year’s award.
Maine signs $4.14 million contract for standardized student testing
A New Hampshire-based company will develop and administer new English and math tests for students in third through eighth grades.
New assessment tests for Maine students to be rolled out
Measured Progress Inc. will replace the Smarter Balanced test; details will be unveiled Thursday.
USM students rally to protest racism on nation’s college campuses
University President Glenn Cummings pledges action and forms a diversity council, saying, “There is work to be done.”
University of New England says donated island will become ‘living laboratory’
UNE plans to use Ram Island, a gift from Portland developer Art Girard, to study ocean life and the effects of climate change.
Maine professor ensures course is taught, even after he dies
Cancer takes USM’s John Broida, but his lessons and devotion to teaching endure in an online class he developed.
For charter school fans in Maine, a couple of new options
A performing arts high school in Sidney and an elementary school in Lewiston-Auburn are tentatively approved for the fall of 2016.