Whereas, Maine's system of learning results has established high standards for student achievement and high school graduation; and

Whereas, Maine Education Assessment and other performance data demonstrate that there is a significant gap between student achievement and state standards, jeopardizing the ability of thousands of Maine students to earn a high school diploma by the 2008 deadline established by the Legislature; and

Whereas, all Maine school districts are expected to meet the same learning standards and to do so according to state requirements; and

Whereas, efficient implementation of the system of learning results requires widespread changes in traditional school organization and educational practices; and

Whereas, moving to a standards-based public education system requires support services not currently widely available to school districts; and

Whereas, Maine already has a variety of nongovernment organizations that have developed efficient approaches to service delivery but lack the resources to provide large-scale support to Maine schools; and

Whereas, successful and efficient implementation of the system of learning results requires that there be rapid collaborative development of high-quality products, policies and procedures that support state requirements and widespread dissemination of these policies and procedures to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, including training in their use; and

Whereas, successful and efficient implementation of the system of learning results requires support services that: operate locally, regionally and statewide; are based on individual district needs but consistent with state requirements; are flexible and responsive and designed to address local needs when and where needed; allow people to learn with and from each other in a safe, professional environment; build the capacity of local districts to act on achievement data to improve student learning; and create and disseminate products that can be used by educators throughout the State, such as teacher-developed lessons and organizational strategies for successful implementation; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of