Education Indicators are facts and statistics that help to describe a public education system. They are tools which are useful in examining and measuring the effectiveness of the system. Examples include information such as the amount of local funds raised to support local schools, per pupil expenditures, pupil-teacher ratios, and student achievement results. This publication contains a series of indicators which will help interested citizens, policymakers, and legislators understand the many components of the K-12 Maine public education system. This paper is comprised of six categories of indicators: (1) Background Demographics; (2) Enrollment; (3) Staff; (4) Program; (5) Student Performance; and (6) Finance. While the categories have been changed recently from previous editions, the report still contains the same indicators. The Background Demographics section provides information on community and societal characteristics of the education environment which may have an impact on student learning. The Enrollment section highlights enrollment trends statewide and in some cases by county. The Staff section provides characteristics of Teachers and Administrators in schools statewide. The Program section provides information on the school district organizational structure and other specific programs within schools that enhance education in Maine. The Student Performance section provides a tool to assess the productivity and accomplishments of education in Maine. And finally, the Finance section provides financial information relevant to education in Maine. Two appendices are included: (1) Statutory Language for the Maine Education Policy Research Institute; and (2) Related Publications. (Contains 55 tables and 39 figures.
