130th MAINE LEGISLATURE
LD 277 LR 290(03)
An Act To Discontinue the Use of the SAT in Maine Schools
Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with:
C "A" (H-119)
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
             
Fiscal Note
Current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Savings from discontinued SAT may offset cost of new assessment method - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
This bill prohibits the Commissioner of Education from using a standardized test known as "the SAT" as a method for assessing student performance and requires the Department of Education to develop an alternate method to replace the SAT by January 1, 2022.  The department currently receives approximately $6.0 million per year for assessments in the areas of science, math and english language arts and english language proficiency.  Of that amount, approximately $2.4 million is from General Fund appropriations and $3.6 million is from federal funds.  $950,000 of the $2.4 million General Fund appropriation is for the cost of the SAT.
Because the department will not be using the SAT as an assessment method in fiscal year 2021-22, it plans to utilize the $950,000 to contract for the development of an alternate method for assessing student performance as required by this legislation.  According to the department, it is currently in negotiations with a new assessment vendor and is unable to determine at this time whether the $950,000 will be sufficient to cover the cost to develop the new assessment and to fund it going forward. If not sufficient, additional appropriations may be required.