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An Act To Amend High School Diploma Standards
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2013, c. 244, §1, is further amended to read:
 
2. Required subjects.   Courses in the following subjects shallmust be provided in separate or integrated study programs to all students and required for a high school diploma:
 
A.  English--, 4 years;
 
B. Social studies and history, including American history, government,and civics and personal finance--2, 4 years;
 
C.  Mathematics-- 2, 4 years;
 
D.  Science, including at least one year of laboratory study--2, 4 years; and
 
E.  Fine arts, which may include art, music, forensics or drama--, one year.;
 
F.  Physical education, including documented participation in physical activities outside of structured classroom activities, one year;
 
G.  Career studies, which may include, but is not limited to, career investigation, job interview preparation, on-the-job learning experience and interning, 1/2 year; and
 
H.  Life skills, which may include, but is not limited to, personal finance and financial literacy, basic car maintenance, basic carpentry and basic food preparation and nutrition, 1/2 year.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§§7 and 8, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 669, §6, are repealed.
Sec. 3. Rulemaking. The Department of Education shall adopt rules establishing the following 4 pathways by which students may demonstrate achievement of high school diploma standards under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4722, subsection 2-A:
1. Pathway A:
A. Minimum ACT scores of: English, 18; mathematics, 22; reading, 22; and science, 23; or
B. Minimum SAT scores of: Evidenced-based reading and writing, 480; and mathematics, 530;
2. Pathway B:
A. Minimum 2.8 grade point average;
B. One academic indicator; and
C. Two career indicators;
3. Pathway C:
A. 2.5 to 2.79 grade point average;
B. Algebra II proficiency as determined at the local level;
C. One academic indicator other than algebra II; and
D. Two career indicators; or
4. Pathway D:
A. Minimum 2.5 grade point average;
B. Passage of a college placement examination; and
C. Two career indicators.
 
For the purposes of this section, "academic indicator" means passage of an advanced placement examination, an advanced placement course, a dual enrollment course, an international baccalaureate examination or a college development, remedial English or mathematics course, algebra II proficiency as determined at the local level or a minimum ACT score or minimum SAT score. For the purposes of this section, "career indicator" means 90% attendance, at least 25 hours of community service, workplace learning experience, industry credentials or certification, 2 or more organized co-curricular activities or military service, including junior reserve officers' training corps. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the requirements for a high school diploma and adds new subjects to those requirements. It repeals the sunset and application provisions of the high school diploma standards in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4722. It requires the Department of Education to adopt rules establishing pathways by which students may demonstrate achievement of high school diploma standards by documentation of college readiness assessment standardized test scores, combinations of GPA and academic and career indicators and advanced placement examinations and course grades.