An Act To Promote the Establishment of Innovative Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1801
Sponsors: ALFOND
Amends: 20-A MRSA §6212

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124tb MAINE LEGISLATU 
Legislative Document 
No. 1801 
S.P.706 
In Senate, February 25, 2010 
An Act To Promote the Establishment of Innovative Schools 
(EMERGENCy) 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs s:uggested and ordered 
printed. 
9t8(J~ 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator ALFOND of Cumberland. (GOVERNOR'S BILL) 
Printed on recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, there is currently no provision for school administrative u~itsto establish 
innovative schools as set forth in the federal Race to the Top Assessment Program 
application authorized under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 
6· 
2009; and 
Whereas, immediate enactment of this legislation is necessary to ensure the State's 
eligibility to apply for a significant amount of federal funding for continued education 
reform that is jeopardized by significant and· continuing 'reductions in state funding for 
education; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. '20-A MRSA §6212 is enacted to read: 
§6212. Innovative schools 
A school administrative unit .may establish and operate an innovative, autonomous 
public school, other than a chartered school as defined in section 8203, subsectiori 2. An 
innovative school must meet all state statutory and regulatory requii'ements applicable 'to 
the establishment and operation of schools by a school administrative unit. An innovative 
school must also meet the following standards for innovation and autonomy: 
1. Open enrollment. The innovative school must permit any resident student in the 
school administrative unit to enroll; 
2.· More accountability for student achievement. The innovative school must 
demonstrate a system for accountability for student achievement that exceeds, but is not 
in conflict with, the State's accountability standards and the State's assessment system; 
and 
3. 
Instruction design; staff selection; school calendar; method for assessing 
progress. The innovative school's instructiori design, staff selection, school calendar and 
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method for assessing professional development may exceed or differ from, but may not 
be In conflict with, applicable.state statu~ory and regulatory requirements. 
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Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
Page I - 124LR2605(01 )-1 
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SUMMARY 
This bill enables school administrative units to establish innovative schools that meet 
the requirements of the federal Race to the Top Assessment Program application, The bill 
also requires that all applicable state statutory and regulatory requirements be met by 
school administi'ative units that establish innovative schools,