Resolves

Chapter 173

H.P. 1548 - L.D. 2174

Resolve, Regarding Curriculum Requirements and Standards for Awarding a High School Diploma

Sec. 1. Stakeholder group review of curriculum requirements and standards for awarding a high school diploma. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Education shall convene a stakeholder group, referred to in this resolve as "the stakeholder group," to examine the state laws and rules pertaining to the curriculum requirements and standards for awarding a high school diploma; and be it further

Sec. 2. Stakeholder group membership. Resolved: That the stakeholder group consists of 17 members appointed by the Commissioner of Education:

1. Two members who are classroom teachers in public secondary schools, recommended by the President of the Maine Education Association;

2. Two members who are career and technical education directors of public secondary schools, recommended by the Executive Director of the Maine Association of Career and Technical Education;

3. Two members who are members of school administrative unit school boards, recommended by the Executive Director of the Maine School Board Association;

4. Two members who are principals of public secondary schools or staff of the Maine Principals' Association, recommended by the Executive Director of the Maine Principals' Association;

5. One member who is a superintendent of a school administrative unit, recommended by the Executive Director of the Maine School Superintendents Association;

6. One member who is a special education director of a school administrative unit, recommended by the Executive Director of the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities;

7. One member who is a guidance counselor of a public secondary school, recommended by the President of the Maine School Counselor Association;

8. Two members who are business and industry leaders in the State, recommended by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce;

9. One member who is a faculty or staff member at one of the campuses of the Maine Community College System, recommended by the President of the Maine Community College System;

10. One member who is a faculty or staff member at one of the campuses of the University of Maine System, recommended by the Chancellor of the University of Maine System;

11. One member who represents the State Board of Education, recommended by the Chair of the State Board of Education; and

12. One member who represents the Department of Education, recommended by the Commissioner of Education; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: That the stakeholder group shall appoint a chair from among its members; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of stakeholder group. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Commissioner of Education of the names of and contact information for the stakeholder group members once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the Commissioner of Education shall call and convene the first meeting of the stakeholder group and shall notify the stakeholder group members of the appointments to the stakeholder group and the agenda for the organizational meeting of the stakeholder group. During the first meeting, the stakeholder group may establish a policy regarding the ability of a member to be represented by a designee in the event the member is not able to attend a stakeholder group meeting; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: That the stakeholder group shall examine the current statutes and rules that pertain to the curriculum requirements and standards for awarding a high school diploma and shall develop recommendations that demonstrate how students can meet graduation requirements using multiple pathways that include career and technical education programs. The stakeholder group shall review the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, chapter 207-A, other relevant provisions of the education statutes and state rules pertaining to the curriculum requirements and standards for awarding a high school diploma, including Department of Education Rule Chapter 125: Basic Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units and Department of Education Rule Chapter 127: Instructional Program, Assessment and Diploma Requirements.

The stakeholder group shall develop and present a model that integrates secondary school curricula, programs and services so that all secondary students can graduate from high school well prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. In examining the current statutes and rules that pertain to the curriculum requirements and standards for awarding a high school diploma, the stakeholder group shall develop recommendations that demonstrate how students can meet graduation requirements using multiple pathways that include career and technical education programs. The stakeholder group may examine other issues pertaining to curriculum requirements and standards for awarding a high school diploma that the stakeholder group membership determines to be useful or necessary in examining this policy matter; and be it further

Sec. 6. Technical assistance. Resolved: That the Department of Education shall provide necessary staffing services, including funding, for the stakeholder group. Stakeholder group members are not entitled to receive reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the stakeholder group; and be it further

Sec. 7. Meetings. Resolved: That the stakeholder group shall hold up to 5 meetings, including the organizational meeting convened by the Commissioner of Education. The agenda for the organizational meeting of the stakeholder group must include the selection of a chair, the development of a work plan and the scheduling of not more than 4 additional meetings. The stakeholder group shall provide time for public comment during at least one of its meetings; and be it further

Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: That the stakeholder group shall submit a report to the Commissioner of Education no later than November 28, 2008 that includes its findings, recommendations and any suggested changes to the Maine Revised Statutes or Department of Education rules that pertain to the curriculum requirements and standards for awarding a high school diploma. The commissioner shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters by January 30, 2009 on the report submitted by the stakeholder group and on the status of rulemaking for Department of Education Rule Chapter 125: Basic Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units and Department of Education Rule Chapter 127: Instructional Program, Assessment and Diploma Requirements.