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Resident questions Auburn graduation rates and academic proficiency during public comment

Auburn School Committee · January 22, 2026

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Summary

Quentin Chapman told the school committee he doubts a reported 97% graduation rate given low proficiency indicators, urging the district to change course on instruction and social-emotional practices.

During the public comment period of the Jan. 21, 2026 meeting, resident Quentin Chapman (51 Eastman Lane) challenged the district's published 97% graduation rate and contrasted it with low proficiency statistics for Auburn schools in Maine and nationally. Chapman said students are graduating without critical skills such as reading comprehension and basic fractions and asked the committee what will change to improve outcomes.

"I keep hearing about this 97 percent graduation rate. And then you look at the stats, and we're at the bottom 80 percent as far as schools in Maine," Chapman said. He urged the committee to reconsider whether current approaches to proficiency and social-emotional learning are working and asked for tangible changes to curriculum and skills instruction.

Chair Pamela Albert thanked Chapman for his comments; the committee did not take action on the comment during the meeting and proceeded to the AMS advisory presentation.