An Act To Strengthen Arts Education for All Maine Students
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2, ¶E, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. C, §§5 and 7, is amended to read:
E. Fine arts, which may include art, music, forensics or drama-- one year 2 years.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6202-A, sub-§3, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 446, §4, is amended to read:
C. By the 2011-2012 school year, the awarding of learning results endorsements must be determined by student achievement of the standards of the system of learning results in each of the 8 content areas of the system of learning results based on the school administrative unit's assessment system. Student achievement in the visual and performing arts must be assessed based in part on a portfolio or performance.
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §6202-A, sub-§4, ¶C, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 446, §4, is amended to read:
C. By the 2011-2012 school year, the awarding of learning results endorsements in addition to the high school diploma for publicly funded students in private schools must be determined by student achievement of the standards of the system of learning results in each of the 8 content areas of the system of learning results, in addition to other requirements as established by the trustees. Student achievement in the visual and performing arts must be assessed based in part on a portfolio or performance.
summary
This bill changes the courses required for a high school diploma to include 2 years of courses in the fine arts, which may include art, music, forensics or drama. Current law requires one year of courses in the fine arts. The bill also requires that, when assessment of secondary students is required in all 8 content areas of the system of learning results, student achievement in the visual and performing arts be assessed based in part on a portfolio or performance.