‘Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §6209, first ¶,  as amended by PL 2015, c. 40, §5, is further amended to read:

Nothing in this section requires any school administrative unit to use all or any part of standards adopted under this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no state funds may be withheld from a school administrative unit or school for refusal to adopt or use the standards established under this section. The department in consultation with the state board shall by rule establish and implement a comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, which may must include a core of standards in English language arts and , mathematics , science and social studies 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 shall establish accountability standards at all grade levels in the areas of mathematics; reading and writing; social studies; 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-B. The commissioner may not adopt any model curricula that are aligned with the content standards adopted under this section.’