Paul LePage has said repeatedly that Maine ranks in the top third for spending per student but ranks in the bottom third for results. This is false. Maine consistently ranks in the top fifth nationwide on test scores and the top third for graduation rates. For the past decade, Maine has performed better than the national average, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress standards.

Paul LePage wants to consolidate the Maine Community College System into the University of Maine system. Since the legislature established the System in 2002, enrollment has climbed 62% making it the fastest growing community college system in the country. More than 16,000 Mainers are currently enrolled and more than 4,000 are waiting to enroll.

Community College’s open the doors of education to more people, making higher education more affordable. In today’s world good paying jobs demand a college education.

To save money on education, Paul LePage supports using taxpayer money to subsidize private and religious schools. This controversial “voucher” system does nothing to bring down the cost of public education and, in most cases, it increases costs by creating a two-tiered system along a socio-economic divide. He also supports abolishing the Department of Education, laying off teachers and teaching creationism in public schools.