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An Act To Strengthen Standards-based Diplomas
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  this legislation requires the Department of Education to convene a working group to develop standards, assessments and assessment criteria for determining student proficiency for secondary school graduation; and
Whereas,  these standards, assessments and assessment criteria need to be developed and submitted for review before the expiration of the 90-day period; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  PL 2011, c. 669, §9, sub-§1  is amended to read:
1. The Department of Education shall convene a working group to develop standards, assessments and assessment criteria for determining student proficiency in the guiding principles as outlined in department rule that are required for secondary school graduation beginning January 1, 20172019. The working group must include representatives from school administrative units currently developing those standards, assessments and assessment criteria. The working group shall develop draft standards, assessments and assessment criteria for review not later than July 1, 20132015.
Sec. 2. Working group meetings. The Department of Education shall convene the working group pursuant to Public Law 2011, chapter 669, section 9, subsection 1 as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, and all meetings must be open to the public with prior public notice. Regular meetings must be held as needed until July 1, 2019, except that the working group may cease meeting before July 1, 2019 upon a majority vote of the members.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill changes the date by which the Department of Education's working group is required to develop and submit for review standards, assessments and assessment criteria for determining student proficiency as part of the development of a standards-based system of education. The bill also requires the working group to begin meeting as soon as practicable and that all meetings be open to the public.