An Act To Support the Implementation of Proficiency-based Diplomas and Standards-based Student Learning
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0840
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: HUBBELL, LANGLEY, MAKER, MILLETT

Legislative Document 
No. 840 
H.P. 574 
House of Representatives, March 10, 2015 
An Act To Support the Implementation of Proficiency-based 
Diplomas and Standards-based Student Learning 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative HUBBELL of Bar Harbor. 
Cosponsored by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock and 
Representative: MAKER of Calais, Senator: MILLETT of Cumberland. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
CONCEPT DRAFT 
SUMMARY 
This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208. 
This bill proposes to require the State to advance implementation of proficiency-
based diplomas and a standards-based system of education by using strategic planning, 
monitoring and economies of scale to accelerate implementation of the diplomas and 
system at the local level.  The bill proposes to meet these goals by: 
1.  Requiring the Department of Education to develop a 5-year plan and budget to 
outline strategic supports for the implementation of proficiency-based diplomas under the 
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4722-A and submit the plan and budget to the 
Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by January 31, 2016; 
2.  Requiring the Department of Education annually to collect and report progress 
towards the implementation of proficiency-based diplomas in public schools, public 
charter schools and private schools under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 
2951, subsection 5, including the number of students graduating with proficiency-based 
diplomas and the number of students awarded proficiency in each of the content areas of 
the system of learning results established under Title 20-A, section 6209 and the guiding 
principles set forth in department rules governing implementation of the system of 
learning results established pursuant to Title 20-A, section 6209; 
3.  Maintaining school administrative unit per-pupil subsidies at the current rate; 
4.  Providing competitive grants to regional district partnerships and nonprofit 
organizations to address statewide priorities and involve the State's business and higher 
education communities in delivering consistent messages about standards and 
proficiency, create a statewide research and development process to solve complex 
implementation problems and provide on-site consultation in curriculum, instruction, 
assessment and organizational change, increase local knowledge in key implementation 
areas and build local support systems and services; and 
5.  Requiring the Department of Education to contract with an external organization 
through a request for proposals process to develop, administer and track the competitive 
grant process and report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature 
having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs, the Commissioner of Education 
and the public on the progress of the implementation of a standards-based system of 
education and emerging needs as the needs arise.