An Act To Prepare Maine People for the Future Economy
Sec. A-1. 5 MRSA §1664, sub-§1, ¶G, as amended by PL 2007, c. 613, §2, is further amended to read:
Sec. A-2. 5 MRSA §1664, sub-§1, ¶H, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 613, §3, is amended to read:
Sec. A-3. 5 MRSA §1664, sub-§1, ¶I is enacted to read:
Sec. A-4. 20-A MRSA c. 6 is enacted to read:
§ 501. Education policy
§ 502. Education system goals
§ 503. Benchmarks
The commissioner shall implement necessary strategies and tactics to achieve the following benchmarks for the education goals set forth in section 502.
§ 504. Intervention
§ 505. Strategic plan; reporting
Sec. B-1. 20-A MRSA §7204, sub-§5, as amended by PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-2. 20-A MRSA §7204, sub-§6, as amended by PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25, is further amended to read:
Sec. B-3. 20-A MRSA §7204, sub-§7 is enacted to read:
Sec. C-1. 20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§7 is enacted to read:
(1) English language arts;
(3) Science and technology;
(4) Social studies; and
(5) Health, physical education and wellness; and
(1) Career and education development;
(2) English language arts;
(3) World languages;
(4) Health, physical education and wellness;
(6) Science and technology;
(7) Social studies; and
(8) Visual and performing arts.
Students must be engaged in learning mathematics, science and technology and English language arts during each of their years of high school study.
Sec. C-2. Requirements for awarding high school diplomas. By December 15, 2011, the Commissioner of Education shall adopt rules that require school administrative units to award high school diplomas based on standards established by rule. These standards must take into account, in addition to any local course work and accumulation of credits, a broad spectrum of learning experiences that may include internships, portfolios, long-term capstone projects, early college, standardized tests and other appropriate learning experiences that provide opportunities to demonstrate proficiency in the learning results set forth in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6209.
Sec. C-3. Preparation of strategic plan. The Commissioner of Education shall develop a proposed strategic plan in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 505 and shall present the plan, including any necessary implementing legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by February 1, 2012. The draft plan must, at a minimum, recommend and prioritize tactics for implementing the strategies identified to achieve the goals set forth in Title 20-A, section 502, describe timelines for implementing those tactics and recommend benchmarks for each of the indicators of progress toward the goals identified in Title 20-A, section 502 and must establish annual targets extending to 2021. After receipt and review of the commissioner's plan, the joint standing committee may submit a bill regarding the plan to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature.
Sec. C-4. Kindergarten screening. In adopting rules prescribing a uniform process for kindergarten screening pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 7204, subsection 7, the Commissioner of Education shall work with the Maine School Superintendents Association and the Children's Cabinet to develop, adopt and implement a uniform process and tool for prekindergarten screening in a manner that facilitates reliable and consistent measurement of statewide kindergarten readiness. Rules must be adopted pursuant to this section prior to March 1, 2012.
Sec. C-5. Early childhood programs. By March 1, 2012, the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with state and local stakeholders, shall develop a plan, which may be a component of the strategic plan adopted pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 505, to achieve universal high-quality early learning opportunities. This plan must address universal early learning opportunities as a strategy toward achieving the goal established under Title 20-A, section 502, subsection 1. The Department of Education shall seek to maintain an annual 10% growth of early childhood programs in Maine, with the ultimate goal of achieving universal prekindergarten. The commissioner shall present a draft of the plan to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later than March 15, 2012.
1. Establishes an education policy, core priorities for the State's education system, education system goals, benchmarks and intervention strategies;
2. Requires the development of a strategic plan to achieve the goals within the policy framework;
3. Requires that the state budget document present proposed expenditures on early childhood development, public education, adult education, higher education and workforce development in a manner that facilitates evaluation by the Legislature of whether funds are being appropriated and allocated in a manner that best accords with the established policy framework, advances the established goals and implements the strategic plan;
4. Requires that the Commissioner of Education adopt rules prescribing a uniform process for kindergarten screening in a manner that facilitates reliable and consistent measurement of statewide kindergarten readiness;
5. Requires school administrative units to award high school diplomas based on standards established by rule; and
6. Requires that, beginning with the class of 2015, students graduating from high schools demonstrate proficiency in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and health, physical education and wellness. Beginning with the class of 2018, students graduating from high schools must demonstrate proficiency in the content areas of career and education development; English language arts; world languages; health, physical education and wellness; mathematics; science and technology; social studies; and visual and performing arts.