Attacks Threaten Standards Measure in Maine

By Jeff Archer

Opposition to an academic-standards bill in the Maine legislature has left the measure's chances of survival in question as lawmakers near the end of their session.

Though backed by Gov. Angus S. King Jr., the state chamber of commerce, and the Maine Education Association, the bill approved late last week by a joint education committee has been targeted by religious groups, home-schooling advocates, and fiscal conservatives.

In recent weeks, members of the Christian Civic League of Maine, Concerned Maine Families, and other groups have packed education committee hearings to testify against what they see as an...