Resolve, To Support the Development of Maine's Economic Future by Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1764

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124th MAl E LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
No. 1764 
S.P.677 
In Senate, February 2,2010. 
Resolve, To Support the Development of Maine's Economic Future 
by Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math 
Education 
(EMERGENCy) 
Reported by Senator ALFOND of Cumberland for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Resolve 2009, chapter 98 and ordered printed 
pursuant to Joint Rule 218. 
JOY J. O'BRIEN' . 
Secretary of the Senate .' 
Printed on recycled paper 
Emergency preamble. ~hereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Maine Departmelit ()fEducation and the University of Maine System 
have submitted. a report to the Jo·int Standing Comniittee on Education and Cultural 
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Affairs pursuant to Resolve 2009; Chapter 98, "Resolve, To Understand and Assist 
Efforts to Promote Science; Technology, Engineering and Math Education"; and 
Whereas, this report on the status of Maine science, technology, engineering and 
mathematics learning initiativ.es notes that limited gains in student scores in mathematics 
and science on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and unfavorable 
comparisons to student performance in other cOlll1tries, are factors that are leading to a 
significant focus on science, technology, engineering. and ·I'nathematics education in the 
. State and the nation; and 
Whereas, this report proposes that, by conducting a study, .th.e Department of 
Education can further promote science,· technology, engineering and mathematics 
learninginiiiatives in Maine while assisting Maine in documenting the current efforts 
necessary to enable the department to complete a successful application to the federal 
Race to the Top competitive grarit fund; and 
Whereas, it is necessary to enact this legislation immediately so that the Department 
of Education may submit the State's application for the. federal Race to the Top 
competitive grant program by the deadline.of June 2010; 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 pilblic peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. State plan for science, technology, engineering and mathematics 
learning. Resolved: That the Legislature supports the development of a state plan for 
27. 
the learnirig of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,in order that the 
Department of Education may submit the State application for the federal Race to the Top 
competitive grant prograrn established under sections 14005 and 14006 of the federal 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 prior to the Phase Two deadline for 
applications in June 2010. Th-e Department of Education shall conduct a study to provide 
comprehensive baseline data to support State and local efforts to improve science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics learning. The department shallllse its review 
of existing plans related to the following three aspects of the priority on science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics, identified by the federal Department of 
Education; learning shall be used to develop a strategic plan that addresses the need to: 
1. .Offer a rigorous course of study in mathematics, the· sciences, technology, and 
engineering; 
-2. 
Cooperate with industry experts, museums,· universities, research centers, and 
other community partners to prepare and assist teachers in integrating science, 
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technology, engineerin.g and mathematics content across grades and ctisciplines,in 
promoting effective and relevant instruction, and in offering -applied learning 
opportunities for students; and 
3. Prepare more students for advanced stl!dy and careers in the sciences, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics, including by addressing the needs of 
underrepresented groups and of women and girls in the areas of science, technology, 
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engineering and mathematics. 
The Department of Education shall consult with educational partners at the University of 
Maine System and the Maine Community College System in the development of the 
strategic plan to ensure that the State application for the federal Race to the Top 
competitive grant program includes. a high quality plan that addresses all three aspects of 
the science, technology, engineering and mathematics priority established by the United 
States Education Departmenj. The Department of Education shall produce the strategic a 
plan by May 15, 2010; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Department of Education r-eview. Resoived: That the Department of 
Education shall review existing state learning standards for kindergarten to grade 12 
public education to determine whether students have sufficient opportunity to develop the 
- skills and gain the knowledge that will be incorporated as part of a national assessment of 
technological literacy beginning in 2012. The Department of Education review must 
include an evaluation of the following areas that, as pal1 of the National Assessment of 
Educational Progress assessment, the National Assessment Governing Board will include 
in its assessment of technological literacy: 
1. ' Technology and society; including: 
A. Interactions of technology and humans; 
B. Effects of technology on the natural world; 
C. Effects of technology on the world of information and knowledge; and 
. D. Ethics, equity and responsibility; 
2. 
Design and systems, including: 
A. Nature of technology; 
B. Engineering design; 
C. Systems thinking; and 
D. Maintenance and troubleshooting; 
3. 
Information and communication technology, including: 
A. Construction and exchange of ideas and solutions; 
B. Information research; 
C. Investigation of problems; 
D. Ackn~wledgement of ideas arid information; and 
E. Selection and use of digital tools; and be it fUliher. 
Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall ~ubmit a 
report by February 1, 2011 t6 the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over education matters' on the status of the State plan for science, technology, 
engineering and mathematics learning prepared pursuant to section 1 and on the.review of 
state learning standards and oppOliunities for learning related to technological literacy 
pUrsuant to section 2. The joint, stai1ding committee of the Legislati.ire having jurisdiction 
over education 
matters 
m'ay 
submit. legislation 
based 
on 
the 
fii1dings 
and 
recommendations of the report submittedby the Department of Education to the First 
Regular Session of the 125tl1 Legislature. 
Emergency clause. 
In view Of the emergency cited 111 the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This legislation is reported out by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs pursuant to the authority granted under Resolve 2009, Chapter 98, 
"Resolve, To. Understand and Assist EffOlis to Promote' Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Math Education." 
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The resolve directs the Depaliment of Education, in consultation with the University 
of Maine System and the Maine Community College System, to conducts a study and 
develop a strategic plan for science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning in 
preparation for the State application for federal funding under the Race to the Top 
competitive grant established under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment 
Act of 2009. 
The resolve also directs the Department of Education to review existing state learning' 
standards for kindergaJien to grade 12 public education to determine if students have the 
0ppOIiunity to develop the skills and gain the knowledge that will be incorporated as paJi 
of a·.national assessment of technological literacy beginning in 2012. The Department of 
Education shall submit a report by February 1, 2011 to the joint standing committee of 
the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters on the status of the State plan 
for science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning and on the review of state 
learning standards and opportunities for learning related to technological literacy. The 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters 
may submit legislation based on the findings and recommendations of the report 
submitted by the Department of Education to the First Regular Session of the 125th 
Legislature. 
FISCAL :\"OTE REQUIRED 
(See. attached) 
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Approved: 0 I 129/1 0 .%Pac.. 
124th .MAINE LEGISLATURE 
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LD 
LR 2579(01) 
Resolve, To Support the Development of Maine's Economic Future by Promoting Science, Technology, 
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~ngineering and Math Education 
Fiscal Note for Original Bill 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
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Additional costs to the Department of Education to conduct the required study and review, develop the required 
strategic plan and prepare the required report can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
Additional costs to'the University of Maine System and the Maine Community College System to consult with the 
Department of Education in the development of the strategic plan can be absorbed within the existing budgeted 
resources of each System. 
LR2579(OI) - Fiscal Note - Page I of I