Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen Defends School Grading System

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine's education commissioner is defending the state's school grading system following the resignation of a Florida school chief.

Stephen Bowen said in a statement Thursday that the public availability of information about the grading system for Maine schools "ensures the system's integrity and effectiveness."

Florida education commissioner Tony Bennett resigned Thursday, three days after The Associated Press revealed he had changed the grade of a charter school run by a Republican donor during his previous job as Indiana's school chief.

Bennett headlined Republican Gov. Paul LePage's education conference in March.

Bowen praised Bennett as "a trailblazing education leader" whose reforms "remain a model to the nation."

Maine schools received grades for the first time this year. The next round of report cards for schools will be released in the spring.