An Act To Include Family Life Skills in the System of Learning Results
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0985
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: NASS, STRIMLING, CUMMINGS, EDGECOMB, LANSLEY, RICHARDSON, WOODBURY, COURTNEY, MITCHELL, TURNER
Amends: 20-A MRSA §4721, 20-A MRSA §6202-A, 20-A MRSA §6209

Legislative Document 
No. 985 
H.P.745 
House of Representatives, March 2, 2007 
An Act To Include Family Life Skills in the System of Learning 
Results 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative NASS of Acton. 
Cosponsored by Senator STRIMLING of Cumberland and 
'7J1~ 1J7. 71!0£~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: Speaker CUMMINGS of Portland, EDGECOMB of Caribou, LANSLEY of 
Sabattus, RICHARDSON of Carmel, WOODBURY of Yarmouth, Senators: COURTNEY of 
York, MITCHELL of Kennebec, TURNER of Cumberland. 
Printed on rer.:yl.: led paper 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4721, as amended by PL 2001, c. 454, §22, is further 
amended to read: 
§4721. General requirement 
A secondary school shall provide a course of study of at least 2 years in length, which 
must meet the requirements of this chapter and the system of learning results established 
in section 6209. The course of study must include instruction of all students in English 
language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, health and physical 
education, career preparation, visual and performing arts tmd, foreign languages and 
family life skills. 
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6202-A, sub-§3, ~C, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 446, §4, is 
amended to read: 
C. 
By the 2011-2012 school year, the awarding of learning results endorsements 
must be determined by student achievement of the standards of the system of learning 
results in each of the 8- 2 content areas of the system of learning results based on the 
school administrative unit's assessment system. 
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §6202-A, sub-§4, ~C, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 446, §4, is 
amended to read: 
C. 
By the 2011-2012 school year, the awarding of learning results endorsements in 
addition to the high school diploma for publicly funded students in private schools 
must be determined by student achievement of the standards of the system of learning 
results in each of the 8- 2 content areas of the system of learning results, in addition to 
other requirements as established by the trustees. 
Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §6209, first~, as amended by PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, § 14, is 
further amended to read: 
The department in consultation with the state board shall establish and implement a 
comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, referred to in this section as the 
"system," no later than the 2002-03 school year. The system, based broadly upon guiding 
principles set forth in this section, must establish high academic standards at all grade 
levels in the areas of math; English; science and technology; social studies, including 
history, economics and civics; career preparation; visual and performing arts; health and 
physical education; tmd foreign languages; and family life skills, including but not limited 
to financial skills such as budgeting and personal finance, health care choices and family 
dynamics. Only students in a public school 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. 
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 I-A. 
Page I .. 123LR2124(Ol)-1 
Sec. 5. 20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§l,~, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 649, §1, is 
amended to read: 
F. 
An integrative and informed thinker who: 
(1) Applies knowledge and skilIs in and across English language arts, visual and 
performing arts, foreign languages, health and physical education, mathematics, 
science and technology, social studies af*i, career preparation and family life 
skills; and 
(2) Comprehends relationships among different modes of thought and methods 
associated with the traditional disciplines. 
Sec. 6. 20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 649, § 1, IS 
II 
amended to read: 
2. Content standards. Each student shall study and achieve proficiency in the 
following content standard subject areas: 
A. 
B. 
C. 
D. 
E. 
F. 
G. 
H. 
I. 
Career preparation; 
English language arts; 
Foreign languages; 
Health and physical education; 
Mathematics; 
Science and technology; 
Social studies; af*i 
Visual and performing arts~ ; and 
Family life skills. 
SUMMARY 
This bill includes family life skills, including but not limited to financial skills such 
as budgeting and personal finance, health care choices and family dynamics, in the 
system of learning results. 
P~.b'" 2 .. 123,LR2114(Ol)- \