An Act To Maintain High School Diploma Standards by Repealing Proficiency-based Diploma Standards
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0985
Committee Amendment CA_A_H322 (House)
Amends: 20-A MRSA §4722

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "fl,, to H.P. 740, L.D. 985, Bill, "An Act To 
Maintain High School Diploma Standards by Repealing Proficiency-based Diploma 
Standards" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Maintain High School Diploma Standards by Repealing Proficiency-
based Diploma Standards and Adding the Equivalent in Standards Achievement' 
Amend the bill by inserting after the enacting clause the following: 
'Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4722, as amended by PL 2017, c. 466, §§8 and 9, is further 
amended to read: 
§4722. High school diploma standards 
A--seeondary sehool shall provide a eomprehensive program of instmotion leading to 
a high sehool diploma as set out in section 4721. The commissioner shall develop mles 
for the transition between the requirements of this section and the parameters for essential 
instruetion and graduation requirements established under seetion 6209. 
1. Minimum instructional requirements. A eomprehensive prog1·am of instruction 
The instructional requirements leading to a high school diploma must include a minimum 
4-year program that meets the ourrioulum requirements established by this chapter section 
and any other instructional requirements established by the commissioner and the school 
board. 
2. Required subjects. Courses Instruction in the following subjects shall must be 
provided in separate or integrated study programs te-all, and students and required must 
complete the following minimum requirements for a high school diploma: 
A. English--4 years or the equivalent in standards achievement; 
B. Social studies and history, including American history, government, civics and 
personal finance--2 years or the equivalent in standards achievement; 
C. Mathematics--2 years or the equivalent in standards achievement; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT •/Jr" to H.P. 740, L.D. 985 
D. Science, including at least one year of laboratory study--2 years or the equivalent 
in standards achievement; and 
E. Fine arts, which may include art, music, forensics or drama--one year or the 
equivalent in standards achievement. 
2-A. Implementation of multiple pathways and opportunities. Students may 
demonstrate achievement of the standards through multiple pathways as set out under 
including those identified in section 4703 and multiple opportunities. Achievement may 
be demonstrated by evidence documented by course and learning experiences using 
multiple measures, such as, but not limited to, examinations, quizzes, portfolios, 
performances, exhibitions, projects and community service. 
2-B. Policy. The following are the fundamental policies in the State's high school 
diploma standards: 
A. To ensure that a diploma indicating graduation from a secondary school signifies 
that the graduate has completed the requirements described in this section and is 
ready to enter a postsecondary educational program or a career as a clear and 
effective communicator, a self-directed and lifelong learner, a creative and practical 
problem solver, a responsible and involved citizen and an informed and integrative 
thinker; 
B. 
To recognize that in order to help students to reach the goal described in 
paragraph A, school administrative units must align their instruction with the system 
oflearning results established under section 6209; and 
C. 
To encourage school administrative units to develop innovative multiple 
pathways that allow all students to learn and demonstrate their achievement through 
multiple means and measures pursuant to subsection 2-A. 
3. Satisfactory completion. A diploma may be awarded to .1! secondary school 
students student who have has satisfactorily completed all diploma requirements in 
accordance with the academic standards of the school administrative unit and this chaptei· 
section. 
All secondary school students must achieve the content standards of the 
parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established pursuant to 
section 6209. Children A child with disabilities a disability, as defined in section 7001, 
subsection 1-B, who successfully meet the content standards of the parameters for 
essential i:nstruction and graduation satisfies the local diploma requirements in addition to 
any other diploma requirements applicable to all secondary school students, as the 
manner specified by the goals and objectives of their the child's individualized education 
plans, may plan must be awarded a high school diploma. Career and technical students 
may, consistent with the approval of the commissioner and the local school board, satisfy 
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the requirements of subsection 2 through separate or integrated study within the career 
and technical school curriculum, including through courses provided pursuant to section 
8402 or 8451-A. 
4. Exception. A secondary school student who has satisfactorily completed the 
freshman year in an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education or a 
secondary school student who has satisfactorily completed the junior and senior years in a 
dual enrollment career and technical education program formed pursuant to chapter 229 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 740, L.D. 985 
may be eligible to receive a high school diploma from the secondary school the student 
last attended, although the student may not meet the graduation requirements of this Title. 
5. Advanced study. Nothing in this chapter may prevent the award of a diploma to a 
student who has completed all diploma requirements in fewer than 4 years of study. 
6. Exception for certain veterans. A secondary school may award a high school 
diploma to a person who meets all of the following requirements. A diploma may be 
awarded posthumously. 
A. The person or the person's family must apply to the secondary school for the 
diploma. 
B. 
The person must either: 
(1) Have attended the secondary school or attended a secondary school in the 
geographic area now served by the secondary school; or 
(2) Currently reside in the geographic area served by the secondary school. 
C. The person must have left secondary school: 
(1) Before or during World War II to serve in the Armed Forces during World 
War II; 
(2) Before or during the Korean Conflict to serve in the Armed Forces in the 
Korean Conflict; 
(3) Before or during the Vietnam War to serve in the Armed Forces during the 
Vietnam War era. For purposes of this subparagraph, "Vietnam War era" means 
the period beginning February 28, 1961 and ending May 7, 1975; or 
(4) To serve in the Armed Forces during the period of wartime or peacetime 
after a period of wartime described in subparagraph (1), (2) or (3). 
D. The person did not graduate or receive a high school diploma because of service 
in the Armed Forces. 
E. The person received an honorable discharge or a certificate of honorable service 
from the Armed Forces. 
For purposes of this subsection, "Armed Forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, 
Marine Corps or Coast Guard; and the Merchant Marines only for the period of 
December 7, 1941 to August 16, 1945. 
7. Applicability of requirements. This section applies to the granting of diplomas 
to secondary school students beginning January 1, 2019.' 
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or 
section number to read consecutively. 
SUMMARY 
This amendment adds to the bill provisions regarding the State's high school diploma 
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standards. 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,.fJ" to H.P. 740, L.D. 985 
The amendment establishes as fundamental policies of the diploma standards that a 
diploma indicating graduation from a secondary school signifies that the graduate has 
completed high school diploma requirements and is ready to enter a postsecondary 
educational program or a career as a clear and effective communicator, a self-directed and 
lifelong learner, a creative and practical problem solver, a responsible and involved 
citizen and an informed and integrative thinker; that school administrative units must 
align their instruction with the system of learning results; and that school administrative 
units are encouraged to develop innovative multiple pathways that allow all- students to 
learn and demonstrate their achievement through multiple means and measures. 
The amendment also provides that instruction in the required subjects may be 
provided through the current year-based requirements or through the equivalent in 
standards achievement. 
The amendment also requires that a child with a disability who satisfies the local 
diploma requirements in the manner specified by the child's individualized education plan 
must be awarded a high school diploma and provides that career and technical education 
students, consistent with the approval of the commissioner and the local school board, 
may satisfy instructional requirements through separate or integrated study within the 
career and technical education school curriculum. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT