Mixed grades for Maine education and career readiness in new report
Educate Maine, the Portland-based nonprofit that advocates for career preparation in Maine’s schools, on Monday released its seventh annual report card on the state education system — and the grades are mixed.
The analysis, Education Indicators for Maine, found that the portion of residents earning a college degree or skilled trade certificate leading to a job after high school has increased from 37% in 2013 to 45%. That level surpasses the 2019 goal of 44% set by MaineSpark, a coalition of Educate Maine and other education and business organizations.
Their goal is for 60% of Mainers to have those learning credentials by 2025.
In addition, the proportion of school districts offering full-day kindergarten has increased to 98% from 87% in 2013, with Maine doing slightly better than New England overall, at 96%. College completion rates also have increased: 62% of Maine students who enter college complete it within a specified window of time, compared to 50% in 2013.
However, the new data pinpoints ongoing achievement gaps for some students.
For example, Educate Maine found, only 45% of students who are economically disadvantaged complete college degrees, while 70% of those who aren’t disadvantaged earn them.
Reading and math proficiency was also lower among Maine students who are black, Hispanic or of indigenous descent. Four-year high school graduation rates for these students, as well as students of two or more races, is lower than Maine’s overall high school graduation rate of 87% in 2018.
“To well prepare Maine students for postsecondary education and the workforce requires continued investment in expanding access to early learning programs beginning at birth, especially for economically disadvantaged and diverse students,” Educate Maine Executive Director Jason Judd said.
“It is encouraging that Maine education, business and policy leaders are already building on the successes the report identifies and working to address challenge areas head on.”
To download the 2019 report, click here.
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