When a report is made under this subsection for purposes of comparative analysis, the reporting mechanisms and the categories reported must be uniform for each school administrative unit.

2.__Rules.__The commissioner shall adopt or amend rules to implement this section by January 31, 2006.__Rules adopted or amended pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 6. 20-A MRSA §6210, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 454, §33, is amended to read:

§6210. School assistance

The Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, the commissioner shall provide assistance to a school administrative unit when student performance in a school in the school administrative unit beginning in the 2003-2004 school year , or when a review of the comprehensive education plan conducted under section 4504, subsection 2, indicates that assistance is needed. This assistance must be based on a thorough review of the comprehensive education plan, as required in section 4502, subsection 1, and the evidence of student performance provided by the school administrative unit's local assessment system. This may include assignment of an assistance team by the commissioner to work with the school administrative unit over a period of not less than one year. The commissioner shall pilot this process during the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 school years and shall develop rules for school administrative unit assistance and accountability to safeguard the learning of the students in the school administrative unit.

Sec. 7. 20-A MRSA §7202, sub-§5-A is enacted to read:

5-A.__Diploma requirements.__Award a high school diploma to each exceptional student who successfully meets the content standards of the system of learning results, in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to all secondary school students pursuant to section 4722, as specified by the goals and objectives of the student's individualized education plan;

Sec. 8. State validation of comprehensive education plans and local assessment systems. It is the intent of the Legislature that the major substantive rules adopted or amended pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6209-A must include guidelines and procedures developed by the