Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Clarify Graduation Requirements for Special Education Students
Maine Legislature, Session 122, LD 0665
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: NORTON, TURNER, BLANCHETTE, CRAVEN, FINCH, FISCHER, GOLDMAN, MAKAS, MARLEY, MITCHELL

Legislative Document 
No. 665 
H.P.485 
House of Representatives, February 8, 2005 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Education To Clarify 
Graduation Requirements for Special Education Students 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative NORTON of Bangor. 
Cosponsored by Senator TURNER of Cumberland and 
7J1~ 
1J7.7IIdC~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: BLANCHETTE of Bangor, CRAVEN of Lewiston, FINCH of Fairfield, 
FISCHER of Presque Isle, GOLDMAN of Cape Elizabeth, MAKAS of Lewiston, MARLEY 
of Portland, Senator: MITCHELL of Kennebec. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Preamble. Whereas, federal 
law 
provides 
that 
requirements for a special education student must be 
provisions of the student's individual education plan; 
graduation 
governed by 
and 
Whereas, current rules of the Maine Department of Education 
contain conflicting provisions regarding the role of individual 
education plans in determining specific graduation requirements 
for special education students; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Department of Education authorized to review conflicting 
graduation requirements for special education students. Resolved: 
That 
the Department of Education is directed to conduct a review of 
applicable federal laws and regulations, state law and rules of 
the Department of Education related to the role of individual 
education plans in determining specific graduation requirements 
for special education students; and be it further 
Sec. 
2. 
Reporting 
date 
established. 
Resolved: 
That 
the 
Department of Education shall report its findings, 
including 
suggested 
legislation, 
concerning resolution of 
the 
conflict 
between federal and state law related to the role of individual 
education plans in determining specific graduation requirements 
for special education students to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs by December 2, 2005. 
The Joint 
Standing 
Committee 
on 
Education 
and 
Cultural 
Affairs 
lS 
authorized to introduce 
a bill related to the Department of 
Education's report to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd 
Legislature at the time of submission of its report. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Education to review 
federal 
laws, 
state statutes and rules of the Department of 
Education related to the role of individual education plans in 
determining 
specific 
graduation 
requirements 
for 
special 
education students. 
The Department of Education shall present a 
report, including suggested legislation, to resolve conflicts to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by 
December 2, 2005. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs is authorized to introduce a bill related to 
this 
report 
to 
the 
Second 
Regular 
Session 
of 
the 
l22nd 
Legislature. 
Page l-LR074l(1)