Maine 2025-2026 Regular Session

Maine House Bill LD1624

Introduced
4/11/25  
Refer
4/11/25  
Engrossed
6/3/25  

Caption

An Act to Provide Funding for Summer School Programming

Impact

The proposed legislation is expected to have a significant impact on education laws within the state, particularly in enhancing the support available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. By prioritizing funding for school units with student poverty rates at 25% or higher, the bill intends to directly address the educational inequities faced by lower-income students. This shift in funding strategy could bolster academic success for students who may have otherwise struggled to keep pace with their peers.

Summary

LD1624, titled 'An Act to Provide Funding for Summer School Programming,' seeks to allocate ongoing financial resources to school administrative units specifically for summer school programs and related credit recovery activities. The goal is to assist high school students in meeting academic standards necessary to earn course credits and graduate on time. Additionally, the bill extends funding to support summer enrichment and intervention initiatives aimed at elementary and middle school students to help strengthen their foundational skills and prevent learning loss during the summer months.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding LD1624 appears to be positive among education advocates and lawmakers who recognize the importance of summer programming for academic achievement. Many supporters argue that such funding is essential in providing equal opportunities for students to thrive, especially during challenging economic times. However, there may be concerns regarding the allocation process and whether sufficient funds will be available to meet the demand across various districts.

Contention

Despite the support, potential contention may arise regarding how effectively the funding is distributed among district and the amount allocated overall. Some critics may voice concerns about the sustainability of funding, questioning if it will be maintained in subsequent fiscal years. Ensuring that the programs funded by this bill yield tangible improvements in academic outcomes could also become a focal point of debate among stakeholders, including educational administrators and policy makers.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

ME LD1817

An Act to Support Outdoor Education by Establishing the Outdoor School for All Maine Students Program

ME LD1526

Resolve, to Provide Grants to Support Reading Proficiency Programming in Schools

ME LD2214

An Act to Make Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and to Change Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025

ME LD889

An Act to Better Support the Educational Attainment of Low and Moderate-income Communities by Providing Additional Funding to Certain School Administrative Units

ME LD1

An Act to Provide Funding for Winter Emergency Energy Relief and to Finalize the COVID Pandemic Relief Payment Program

ME LD1642

An Act to Strengthen the Teaching of Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools

ME LD1520

Resolve, Directing the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services to Study Placing Child Care Facilities in Schools

ME LD1684

An Act to Invest in the Health and Wellness of Older Maine Residents by Expanding Coordinated Community Programming

ME LD258

An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2023, June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2025

ME LD1714

An Act to Create a Sustainable Funding Source for Recovery Community Centers Using a Percentage of the Adult Use Cannabis Tax Revenue

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.