Defining Maine’s future

To the Editor;

I am heartened by the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee’s recommendations to grow Maine’s economy by investing $200 million to develop entrepreneurship and innovation. Recommendations include investments in fisheries, improving internet access, supporting early care and education, creating affordable housing, putting $5.2 million toward early childhood education workforce development, and spending $1 million to devise a strategy to make Maine diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

Of this list of admirable goals, early childhood education is called out twice. And for good reason. We simply must do a better job of getting it right for more of our youngest learners earlier in their lives. Educate Maine’s education indicators report shows us why. The report tells us that only 56 percent of Maine fourth-graders met or exceeded reading standards; and just 41 percent of fourth-graders met or exceeded state expectations in math. Achievement gaps are significant across grades and subjects for economically disadvantaged students, who comprised 42 percent of Maine’s student population in 2019. Gaps are also significant for students when looking at race/ethnicity. 

By supporting early learners, we can unleash the potential of Maine’s future workforce. We also need to prioritize accessible and affordable education and training for working adults, invest in higher education programs and increase degree attainment, expand internships and enhance workforce supports for immigrants.

By doing this, we can establish Maine as a premier career, education and lifestyle destination to attract diverse and talented professionals and their families to relocate here and define the state’s image beyond leisure and tourism.

Paul Bolin

senior vice president

chief human resources officer

Northern Light Health

Bangor