AUGUSTA, Maine - Supporters of school choice held rallies across the nation today. The gatherings, marking the kickoff of National School Choice Week, included an afternoon event at the state capitol in Augusta.
Denise Perkins' daughter is a sophomore at Maine Connections Academy, one of two online charter schools in the state.
A few years ago, Perkins, who's from Gorham, says her daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease and missed 60 days of school.
"We were being set up with tutors. We were being set up with some at-home homework. Wasn't anywhere near providing her the education," Perkins says. "I think she learned more her first year at Maine Connections than her three years of middle school."
Seven charter schools are operating in Maine so far, with two more scheduled to open this coming fall.
That leaves just one more available charter under the state law that caps the number of schools at 10.