An Act To Support the Implementation of Proficiency-based Diplomas and Standards-based Student Learning

CONCEPT DRAFT SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to require the State to advance implementation of proficiency-based diplomas and a standards-based system of education by using strategic planning, monitoring and economies of scale to accelerate implementation of the diplomas and system at the local level. The bill proposes to meet these goals by:

1. Requiring the Department of Education to develop a 5-year plan and budget to outline strategic supports for the implementation of proficiency-based diplomas under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4722-A and submit the plan and budget to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by January 31, 2016;

2. Requiring the Department of Education annually to collect and report progress towards the implementation of proficiency-based diplomas in public schools, public charter schools and private schools under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 2951, subsection 5, including the number of students graduating with proficiency-based diplomas and the number of students awarded proficiency in each of the content areas of the system of learning results established under Title 20-A, section 6209 and the guiding principles set forth in department rules governing implementation of the system of learning results established pursuant to Title 20-A, section 6209;

3. Maintaining school administrative unit per-pupil subsidies at the current rate;

4. Providing competitive grants to regional district partnerships and nonprofit organizations to address statewide priorities and involve the State's business and higher education communities in delivering consistent messages about standards and proficiency, create a statewide research and development process to solve complex implementation problems and provide on-site consultation in curriculum, instruction, assessment and organizational change, increase local knowledge in key implementation areas and build local support systems and services; and

5. Requiring the Department of Education to contract with an external organization through a request for proposals process to develop, administer and track the competitive grant process and report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs, the Commissioner of Education and the public on the progress of the implementation of a standards-based system of education and emerging needs as the needs arise.