An Act To Ensure Consistent Certification of Graduation Standards in Publicly Funded Secondary Schools

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  beginning January 1, 2017, public schools and private schools that enroll at least 60% publicly funded students must implement curricula designed to enable students to demonstrate proficiency in certain areas to award diplomas indicating graduation; and

Whereas,  public charter schools are not currently required to implement curricula designed to enable students to demonstrate proficiency in certain areas to award diplomas indicating graduation; and

Whereas,  public charter schools are publicly funded alternatives to public schools and private schools that enroll at least 60% publicly funded students; and

Whereas,  all publicly funded schools should implement curricula designed to enable students to demonstrate the proficiencies necessary to receive a diploma indicating graduation from a secondary school; and

Whereas,  secondary schools require the greatest amount of advance notice of applicable requirements to develop curricula to enable students to demonstrate the proficiencies necessary to receive a diploma indicating graduation from a secondary school; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6202, first ¶,  as amended by PL 2009, c. 313, §20, is further amended to read:

The commissioner shall establish a statewide assessment program to measure and evaluate on a continuing basis the academic achievements of students in grades 3 to 12 on the accountability standards set forth in section 6209 and in department rules implementing that section and other curricular requirements. The commissioner may elect to provide for the use of alternative measures of student achievement in grades 9 to 12. This assessment applies to students in the public elementary and secondary schools , in public charter schools, as that term is defined in section 2401, subsection 9, and in all private schools approved for tuition whose school enrollments include at least 60% publicly funded students, as determined by the previous school year's October and April average enrollment. The assessment program must be adapted to meet the needs of children with disabilities as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-A or other students as defined under rules by the commissioner.

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6209, first ¶,  as amended by PL 2009, c. 647, §1, is further amended to read:

The department in consultation with the state board shall establish and implement a comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, which may include a core of standards in English language arts and mathematics for kindergarten to grade 12 established in common with the other states, as set forth in this section and in department rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The department must establish accountability standards at all grade levels in the areas of mathematics; reading; and science and technology. The department shall establish parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements in English language arts; mathematics; science and technology; social studies; career and education development; visual and performing arts; health, physical education and wellness; and world languages. Only students in a public school , a public charter school as defined in section 2401, subsection 9 or a private school approved for tuition that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students, as determined by the previous school year's October and April average enrollment, are required to participate in the system of learning results set forth in this section and in department rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The commissioner shall develop accommodation provisions for instances where course content conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of a student's parent or guardian. The system must be adapted to accommodate children with disabilities as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-A 1-B.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill makes demonstrated proficiency in the system of learning results a requirement for the award of a diploma indicating graduation from a public charter school, in order to match the requirements for public schools and private schools approved for tuition that enroll at least 60% publicly funded students. This bill also makes the statewide assessment program required under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6202 applicable to public charter schools.