An Act To Strengthen Standards-based Diplomas
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 1235
Committee Amendment CA_A_S206 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 440, L.D. 1235, Bill, "An Act To 
Strengthen Standards-based Diplomas" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Strengthen Standards-based Diplomas' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. Maine Proficiency Education Council created. Resolved: That the 
Maine Proficiency Education Council, referred to in this section as "the council," is 
created to make recommendations regarding implementation of the proficiency-based 
graduation requirements under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4722-A to 
the Commissioner of Education and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and 
Cultural Affairs. 
1. 
Members. 
The council consists of the Commissioner of Education or the 
commissioner's designee and the following 14 members, appointed by the Commissioner 
of Education: 
A. A member of the State Board of Education, nominated by the state board; 
B. Four public school teachers, at least one of whom is a special education teacher, 
appointed from a list of names provided by the Maine Education Association; 
C. Two public school administrators, appointed from a list of names provided by the 
Maine Principals' Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association; 
D. Two members of school boards, appointed from a list of names provided by the 
Maine School Boards Association; 
E. One faculty member representing the University of Maine; 
F. Two members of the business community; and 
G. Two members of the general public with interest and experience in education. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 440, L.D. 1235 
The council must be cochaired by the Commissioner of Education and one other 
member elected by the council. 
The council may establish subcommittees and may 
appoint persons who are not members of the council to serve on the subcommittees as 
needed to conduct the counci1's work. 
2. Duties. The council shall study and provide recommendations for implementing 
proficiency-based graduation requirements leading to a diploma consistent with the 
requirements of Title 20-A, section 4722-A. The council shall: 
A. Fully investigate and understand the current status of standards-based educational 
systems and proficiency-based graduation requirements in all of Maine's public high 
schools; 
B. 
Review proficiency-based graduation requirements to ensure that the 
requirements protect the rights of all students, including but not limited to special 
education and English language learners, to receive a high school diploma; 
C. 
Outline the key concerns with the development and implementation of 
proficiency-based graduation requirements and provide solutions, where possible, for 
the challenges schools face in developing standards-based educational systems and 
implementing requirements for awarding proficiency-based diplomas; 
D. 
Recommend a 5-year plan for full implementation of proficiency-based 
graduation requirements across the State, including, but not limited to, the resources 
and support necessary to develop proficiency-based graduation requirements in all of 
the State's public high schools, professional development systems for educators, data 
systems to track student proficiency information and appropriate communication 
tools for parents and students; 
E. Recommend best practices for adoption and implementation of standards-based 
educational systems and proficiency-based graduation requirements based upon the 
current experiences of schools that meet the criteria for proficiency-based graduation 
and other research and data; and 
F. Recommend assessment practices other than standardized or other commercially 
available testing to assess student proficiency in academic areas. 
3. Report. The Commissioner of Education shall submit a report regarding the work 
of the council to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later 
than January 1, 2016. The report must include the council's recommendations regarding 
implementation of the requirements set forth in Title 20-A, section 4722-A and 
recommendations regarding the continuing work of the council. 
4. Staff assistance; grant funding. The Department of Education shall provide staff 
assistance to the council. The department may seek and employ grant funds to provide 
additional assistance. 
5. Council continuation. The council is authorized to continue meeting, if it so 
desires, 90 days after adjournment of the Second Regular Session of the 127th 
Legislature. ' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A "to S.P. 440, L.D. 1235 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve and creates the Maine Proficiency 
Education Council to study and make recommendations for a 5-year plan for the full 
implementation of proficiency-based graduation requirements across the State in 
accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4722-A. 
The 
Commissioner of Education shall submit a report including the recommendations of the 
council to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Mfairs no later than 
January 1,2016. 
• L'll,.-\L .\UTE REQL'lRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 06/05/15 
;t;?ac 
LD 1235 
LR 863(02) 
An Act To Strengthen Standards-based Diplomas 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment l'Ptl(S-.2.IXSJ) 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Education to implement the requirements ofthis legislation can be absorbed 
within existing budgeted resources. 
. LR0863(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1