An Act To Promote Computer Science and Efficient Communication between Schools and the Department of Education
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1288
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: DILL, TIPPING, DIAMOND, GRATWICK, SAVIELLO, DUNPHY, HIGGINS, HUBBELL
Amends: 20-A MRSA §6209

Legislative Document
No. 1288
S.P. 440
In Senate, April 4, 2017
An Act To Promote Computer Science and Efficient 
Communication between Schools and the Department of Education
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator DILL of Penobscot.
Cosponsored by Representative TIPPING of Orono and
Senators: DIAMOND of Cumberland, GRATWICK of Penobscot, SAVIELLO of Franklin, 
Representatives: DUNPHY of Old Town, HIGGINS of Dover-Foxcroft, HUBBELL of Bar 
Harbor.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2, ¶C, as amended by PL 2007, c. 259, §5, is 
further amended to read: 
C.  World languages, which may include proficiency in a computer programming 
language; 
Sec. 2.  Department of Education to adopt rules on computer 
programming language proficiency.  The Department of Education shall adopt 
routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2-A that create standards to determine proficiency in a computer 
programming language pursuant to Title 20-A, section 6209, subsection 2. 
Sec. 3.  Department of Education to issue request for proposals to 
purchase a student information system.  The Department of Education shall issue a 
request for proposals to purchase a student information system, to be offered at no cost to 
participating school administrative units, that links with the department's student 
information system.  Criteria for the student information system in the request for 
proposals must include: 
1. Tracking a student's proficiencies in content areas in the statewide system of 
learning results and performance indicators under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, 
section 6209 and recording these proficiencies in transcript form; 
2. Processing both an elementary school's and secondary school's traditional system 
of grading and reporting and proficiency-based grading and reporting; 
3.  Allowing the ability of school administrative units to share reports and templates 
with each other and with career and technical centers; 
4. Synchronizing with the State's assessment database; and 
5.  Containing the State's parameters for essential instruction and graduation 
requirements. 
Sec. 4.  Appropriations and allocations.  The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
Student Information System 
Initiative:  Provides funds to purchase a student information system that can be offered to 
school administrative units and that links with the Department of Education student 
information system. 
SUMMARY 
This bill allows that proficiency in a computer programming language may substitute 
for proficiency in a world language to meet the parameters of secondary school essential 
instruction and graduation requirements.  This bill also appropriates $1,000,000 per year 
of the 2018-2019 biennium to the Department of Education to issue a request for 
proposals to purchase a student information system that tracks student proficiency, grades 
and other student information, that links with the Department of Education student 
information system and that can be given to school administrative units at no cost. 
GENERAL FUND 
2017-18
2018-19
All Other 
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
$1,000,000
$1,000,000