Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the U.S. Department of Education, which Trump wants to abolish, is investigating whether dozens of Maine school districts are violating or misusing federal privacy laws and infringing on parents’ rights.
Schools and Education
Local, state and national schools and education news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
UMaine to pause new graduate student job offers, citing funding uncertainty
The flagship public university in Orono will temporarily pause funded offers for graduate students like research assistantships, which make up about a quarter of the current graduate student population.
Researchers recommend changes to special ed funding under state formula review
The Maine Educational Policy Research Institute gave its latest presentation about possible changes to the state’s education funding formula, which many say doesn’t account for today’s education needs.
Maine teacher shortage prompts multipronged approach
Efforts are underway to raise pay, bolster a UMaine training program and reduce barriers to certification.
Cumberland-North Yarmouth parents, students hold rally supporting trans students
The district gained national attention after an on-camera clash between Gov. Mills and President Trump over a Greely student’s win at a girls track meet.
Future Teachers Academy at Thomas College helps teens build skills
More than 100 students from 20 Maine high schools attended this year’s training. All photos by Morning Sentinel photographer Anna Chadwick.
Maple sugaring part of education at Maine Academy of Natural Sciences
The Hinckley school’s sugar shack was one of dozens across the state open during the 42nd Maine Maple Sunday Weekend.
Trump demands ‘full throated’ apology from Gov. Mills over Maine’s transgender athlete policy
The president wrote on social media that ‘the State of Maine has apologized,’ but it was not clear to whom he was referring. The governor’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment Saturday.
Maine college students investigate health effects of forever chemicals
But the statewide biotech training program teaching them how to tackle local scientific challenges like this in the laboratory faces an uncertain future because of federal budget cuts.
Trump orders a plan to dismantle the Education Department
Members of Maine’s congressional delegation and advocates for public schools say eliminating the department would leave children behind in an American education system that is fundamentally unequal.