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*Maine’s K–12 Education Ranking Just Went Down Again*


"We should learn from other states like Mississippi"

 

Hi, this is Representative Mike Lance from South Paris, with this week’s Republican Address.

Let’s talk about something every Mainer, no matter their politics, should be concerned about: the alarming decline of our public education system.

Despite skyrocketing property taxes and historic increases in school spending, Maine’s students are falling further behind.

The latest national report, the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book [ [link removed] ], ranks Maine 41st in the nation for K–12 education—a dramatic drop from 37th just last year.

To put that in perspective: we now rank lower than Mississippi.

That’s especially troubling because Mississippi has turned things around.

Over the past decade, they’ve moved up significantly in national education rankings, thanks to a statewide focus on phonics-based reading instruction, early literacy screening, teacher coaching, and strong accountability measures.

So here’s the question:

Are Maine’s education leaders studying what Mississippi did right?

Are we asking whether their reforms, backed by data, could work here?

Because the trend lines are clear. According to the report:


* 71% of Maine’s 4th graders are not proficient in reading
* 76% of 8th graders are not proficient in math
* 14% of high school students do not graduate on time

That’s not a slip. That’s a collapse.

Since 2013, Maine has increased per-pupil spending by 71%, now spending over $26,000 per student, yet academic performance has dropped to its lowest level in 30 years.

Even the National Assessment of Educational Progress released in February shows Maine had the biggest decline in reading and math scores in the country, falling 10 percentage points since 2019.

How is it possible we’re spending more than ever, and getting worse results?

Here’s part of the answer:

Earlier this year, Maine’s Commissioner of Education told lawmakers that traditional academic learning, reading, writing, and math, should be a lower priority than social-emotional programming and identity-based instruction.

That’s the wrong message.

Maine teachers want to teach. I know I did. Parents want results. And students deserve the basic skills they need to succeed.

Several of us in the House called on the Department of Education to comply with new federal guidance aimed at refocusing classrooms on core academics and protecting fairness in education.

As we said then:

“We strongly support steps that protect children, preserve fairness, and renew the focus on education—not indoctrination.”

More spending isn’t fixing the problem. It’s time to face reality.

We need new leadership at the top, leaders who will take responsibility, listen to parents and teachers, and put academic excellence first again in Maine’s schools.

If you agree, we invite you to stay connected.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, and share this message with others who care about Maine’s future.

This has been Representative Mike Lance, a former teacher, with this week’s Republican Address.

Thank you for listening.

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Lance
Representative Mike Lance

is serving his first term as the Representative for District 79, which includes South Paris.

Mike is a Tool Technician and a volunteer firefighter for Paris Fire. He is also a retired science teacher and coach, having been named Class C Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017 for his work at Spruce Mountain.

He is an active member of the Oxford Lodge, the Norway/Paris Fish and Game Club, and Saint Catherine of Sienna. Mike earned a B.S. in Natural Science Education from Plymouth State College and a Certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine.

Mike is married to Jennifer, and together they have three children. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, cycling, motorcycling, boating, and skiing.





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