Resolve, To Ensure That Maine Teachers and Paraprofessionals Who Work with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Are Highly Qualified
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0715
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: STRANG BURGESS, ALFOND, KENT, MAKER, PRESCOTT, RICHARDSON, SANBORN, STUCKEY, VOLK, LANGLEY

Legislative Document 
No. 715 
H.P. 546 
House of Representatives, February 23, 2011 
Resolve, To Ensure That Maine Teachers and Paraprofessionals 
Who Work with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Are 
Highly Qualified 
(EMERGENCY) 
Received by the Clerk of the House on February 18, 2011.  Referred to the Committee on 
Education and Cultural Affairs pursuant to Joint Rule 308.2 and ordered printed pursuant to 
Joint Rule 401. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative STRANG BURGESS of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Senator ALFOND of Cumberland and 
Representatives: KENT of Woolwich, MAKER of Calais, PRESCOTT of Topsham, 
RICHARDSON of Carmel, SANBORN of Gorham, STUCKEY of Portland, VOLK of 
Scarborough, Senator: LANGLEY of Hancock. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, it is vital to ensure children with autism spectrum disorders in our schools 
achieve the best educational outcomes possible; and 
Whereas, it is necessary to ensure as soon as practicable that teachers of children 
with autism spectrum disorders are highly qualified; and 
Whereas, this legislation provides a means to ensure teachers of children with 
autism spectrum disorders are highly qualified; 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, be it 
Sec. 1.  Department of Education to study teachers and paraprofessionals 
who work with children with autism spectrum disorders.  Resolved:  That the 
Department of Education shall conduct a study to ensure that teachers and 
paraprofessionals who work with children with autism spectrum disorders are highly 
qualified.  The department shall convene a work group with broad stakeholder 
representation.  The purpose of the work group is to analyze the qualifications of teachers 
and paraprofessionals who work with children with autism spectrum disorders and to 
make recommendations that will assist the department in ensuring that the teachers and 
paraprofessionals are highly qualified.  The work group shall: 
1.  Examine and recommend the minimum level of competencies that regular 
educators, special educators and paraprofessionals need to provide educational services to 
students with autism spectrum disorders; 
2.  Examine and recommend a specific curriculum that regular and special education 
teachers must complete for certification in order to be considered a highly qualified 
teacher for students with autism spectrum disorders; 
3.  Examine and recommend specific guidelines for paraprofessional supervision, 
including, but not limited to, daily progress monitoring, problem solving and philosophy; 
4.  Develop a plan that will phase in a new paraprofessional structure, including basic 
education technician I, II and III certifications, and create a concentrated and specialized 
certification for working with students with autism spectrum disorders; and 
5.  Define a designation for a paraprofessional to be considered highly qualified to 
provide special education services; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Report.  Resolved:  That the work group under section 1 shall submit its 
recommendations to the Department of Education by November 1, 2011.  The department 
shall submit a report, including the findings and recommendations from the work group, 
to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 7, 2011, 
and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is authorized to 
introduce legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Department of Education to convene a work group to 
conduct a study to ensure that teachers and paraprofessionals who work with children 
with autism spectrum disorders are highly qualified.  The work group is required to 
submit its recommendations to the department by November 1, 2011.  The department is 
required to submit a report, including the findings and recommendations from the work 
group, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by December 
7, 2011, and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is 
authorized to introduce legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 125th 
Legislature.