Many of those who listed education as their top issue seemed to view the affordability and accessibility of higher education as a higher priority than improving the public schools. Allison Gray of Brewer, a student at the University of Maine, is a case in point. That is equally true for the technical colleges, said Edward Rykken, a physician's assistant from Gardiner. In fact, the cost and availability of college have been a political issue for years, amid calls for free tuition to help the needy or tax breaks on tuition. Only 62 percent of high-school seniors in Maine go on to college, and Maine ranks 47th in the nation in college enrollment, according to the Maine Technical College System.
Cost is a major consideration.
The size of the seven-college system also is at issue. With almost 5,900 degree-seeking students, enrollment has jumped 63 percent since 1989, but the technical colleges generally receive two applications for every student they enroll. Sponsored by Gray Webster Aviation , Adecco Employment and Adecco Technical . It's all about participation. Participate in our Election 2000 Discussion and at the polls on Nov. 7.