New Report Gives Maine K-12 Schools Low Marks

There are so many factors that need to work together to ensure a school system in towns, cities and municipalities across Maine function at their highest level possible. From funding to staffing to participation.

According to Maine Public, those delicate education ecosystems in Maine are failing as a new report ranks the state amongst the 10 worst in the nation for Kindergarten through grade 12 education.

Where Maine K-12 Schools Are Failing According to a New Report

The 2025 KIDS COUNT report showcases three specific areas where Maine K-12 schools are struggling.

One of the top concerns is reading comprehension. Whether that is due to lower preschool enrollments, less focus on reading at home or declining attention spans, kids in Maine are falling behind when it comes to reading and retaining information.

Directly corresponding to the reading comprehension issue is Maine's next problem, test scores. Standardized test scores remain a sore subject for many, but the overall scores in Maine continue to decline while other New England states have seen improvement.

Graduation Rates in Maine Continue a Steady Decline

The third key problem area from the report is the continuing decline in graduation rates throughout Maine. Graduating class sizes are getting smaller in Maine as more and more kids struggle to complete what is required to get a high school diploma.

According to Maine Public, the Maine's Children Alliance believes more resources are needed for schools across the state. Those resources need to be directed in the critical areas of need to improve the growing issues including graduation rates.

Communities Across Maine Are Struggling With School Budgets

Almost every school district in Maine has had uncomfortable meetings over the last few years. Some districts have made cuts out of necessity while other towns and cities have gone back to taxpayers to ask for additional funds.

With some federal funding at risk for Maine schools, communities will likely continue struggling to find ways to better fund schools and support students.