Proficiency Based DiplomasMaine Education Association

Maine Is Ahead Of The Pack

Maine is a leader in developing a Proficiency-Based Diploma.

There are still many unanswered questions about the design, implementation and future success of the idea.

Why?

In May 2012, the Maine Legislature passed An Act To Prepare Maine People for the Future Economy, which was signed into law on May 21, 2012. The legislation made Maine one of the first states in the country to require public high schools to award diplomas based on demonstrated proficiency—not passing grades and course credits. (NESSC)

The New England Secondary Schools Consortium (NESSC)

http://www.aypf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/NESSC-Leadership-Briefings-on-Proficiency.pdf

NESSC Definition Of Proficiency-Based Diploma

Simply put, a proficiency-based diploma is a graduation decision based on students demonstrating what they have learned. In practice, it means that every student must show—by writing a paper, delivering a presentation, or completing a challenging project, for example—that they have acquired a minimum level of proficiency and competence when it comes to mastering the essential knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college, work, and life.

The Law §4722-A. Proficiency-based diploma

standards Beginning January 1, 2017, a diploma indicating

graduation from a secondary school must be based on student demonstration of proficiency as described in this section. The commissioner may permit a school administrative unit to award diplomas under this section prior to January 1, 2017 if the commissioner finds that the unit's plan for awarding diplomas meets the criteria for proficiency-based graduation under this section. [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

1. Requirements for award of diploma.  In order to receive a diploma indicating graduation from secondary school, a student must:

A. Demonstrate that the student engaged in educational experiences relating to English language arts, mathematics and science and technology in each year of the student's secondary schooling; [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

B. Demonstrate proficiency in meeting state standards in all content areas of the system of learning results established under section 6209; [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

C. Demonstrate proficiency in each of the guiding principles set forth in department rules governing implementation of te system of learning results established pursuant to section 6209; and [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

D. Meet any other requirements specified by the governing body of the school administrative unit attended by the student. [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

[ 2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW) .]

2. Method of gaining and demonstrating proficiency.  Students must be allowed to gain proficiency through multiple pathways, as described in section 4703, and must be allowed to demonstrate proficiency by presenting multiple types of evidence, including but not limited to teacher-designed or student-designed assessments, portfolios, performance, exhibitions, projects and community service.

[ 2013, c. 176, §2 (AMD) .]

3. Exceptions.  Notwithstanding subsection 1, a student may be awarded a diploma indicating graduation from a secondary school in the following circumstances.

A. A child with a disability, as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B, who achieves proficiency as required in subsection 1, as specified by the goals and objectives of the child's individualized education plan, may be awarded a high school diploma. [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

B. A student who has satisfactorily completed the freshman year in an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education may be eligible to receive a high school diploma from the school the student last attended. [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

B-1. A student who has satisfactorily completed the junior and senior years in a dual enrollment career and technical education program formed pursuant to chapter 229 and who successfully demonstrates proficiency as required in subsection 1 may be eligible to receive a high school diploma from the secondary school the student last attended. [2013, c. 318, §2 (NEW).]

C. [2013, c. 439, §4 (RP).] D. A school administrative unit may award a

high school diploma to a student who has met the standards set forth in a waiver request that was approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 4502, subsection 8. [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]

E. A person may be awarded a high school diploma, including a posthumous award, if the person or a family member of the person applies to a secondary school and:

(1) The person: (a) Attended a secondary school in the

geographic area now served by the secondary school from which a diploma is requested; or

(b) Resides at the time of application for a diploma in the geographic area served by the secondary school from which a diploma is requested;

(2) The person did not graduate or receive a diploma from a secondary school because the person left secondary school to serve in the Armed Forces and served during the following periods:

(a) World War II, from December 7, 1941 to August 16, 1945;

(b) The Korean Conflict; (c) The Vietnam War era, from February

28, 1961 to May 7, 1975; or (d) The period of wartime or peacetime

after a period of wartime described in division (a), (b) or (c); and

(3) The person received an honorable discharge or a certificate of honorable service from the Armed Forces.

For the purposes of this paragraph, "Armed Forces" means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines. [2013, c. 281, §2 (AMD).]

[ 2013, c. 439, §4 (AMD) .]

4. Grants; contingent extension of full implementation.  During the period of transition to proficiency-based graduation in accordance with this section, the department, if funds are available, shall make annual transition grants to each school administrative unit equal to 1/10 of 1% of the school administrative unit's total cost of education calculated under section 15688, subsection 1 to be used in the manner determined by the school administrative unit to fund the costs of the transition not otherwise subsidized by the State. The date for implementation of the awarding of diplomas based on student demonstration of proficiency as described in this section is extended one year for each year for which transition grants are not made available to a school administrative unit or for which levels of general purpose aid for local schools fall below school year 2012-2013 levels.

[ 2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW) .]

So That Is The Law.

Now what?

Maine DOE website http://www.maine.gov/doe/proficiency/

The Maine Department of Education has an in-depth section on their website with resources.

Be sure to check here first.

What Happened to the Maine Learning Results?The DOE states:

The Maine Learning Results were most recently updated in 2011 to include Common Core as the standards for English language arts and math, better preparing our students for success in college, career and civic life by creating deeper, more rigorous and clearer expectations for learning.

Eight Content Areas of Maine Learning Results Career & Education Development English Language Arts Health Education & Physical Education Mathematics Science & Technology Social Studies Visual & Performing Arts World Languages

How Do I Know What I Am Supposed To Do?The DOE says:

Ongoing, educator-driven professional learning is essential when developing a proficiency-based learning system, just as it is when continuing to reflect on and refine its design. When a district or school begins the planning process, professional development should focus on the goals and design of the system—what it will mean for students and educators, and how it will need to work.

So Do You Have Adequate Professional Development?

MEA suspects that most schools are not providing the professional development necessary to implementing Proficiency Based Diplomas.

We have talked to our members who say most of the time they are left to their own devices.

What Can I Do?

MEA’s UniServ Directors, our regional field staff, can help you and your colleagues.

Contact your nearest UniServ office to find a time for a presentation.

Southern Maine

MEA UniServ Centers and Staff

DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3, 429 Christopher Toppi Drive, South Portland ME 04106Tel. 774-6133 or 1-800-750-8801 Fax 774-9786Get directions to the South Portland Office.

UniServ Directors:District #1 - Judith Beverage, Ext. 2506District #2 - Gregory Hannaford,Ext. 2504District #3 - Rob Olson, Ext. 2503District #4 - Becky Fernald, Ext. 2505Assistants:Cathy Hogan, Ext. 2502Gail Poirier, Ext. 2501

South Central Maine

DISTRICTS 5, 6201 Main Street, AuburnMail: PO Box 368, Auburn ME 04212Tel. 784-4006 or 1-800-649-9017 Fax 784-3628Get directions to the Auburn Office.

UniServ Directors:District #5 - Rose Mahoney, Ext. 2101District #6 - Nicole Argraves, Ext. 2102Assistant: Susan Beaulieu, Ext. 2103

Augusta Area

DISTRICTS 7, 8, 9, 1035 Community Drive, Augusta ME 04330Tel. 622-5866 or 1-800-452-8709 Fax 623-2129Get directions to the Augusta Office.

UniServ Directors:District #7 - Joan Morin, Ext. 2237District #8 - Lee Libby, Ext. 2213District #9 - Krystyna Dzialo, Ext. 2230

Assistants:Debbie Sylvester, Ext. 2228Sara Stratton, Ext. 2208

North Central Maine DISTRICTS 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

1349 Broadway, Bangor ME 04401Tel. 942-2907 or 1-888-942-2907   Fax 942-0531

Get directions to the Bangor Office. UniServ Directors:

District #10 – Aymie Walshe, Ext. 2308District #11-- Misty O'Leary, Ext. 2309District #12 --Elizabeth Peterson, Ext. 2310District #13 - John Bracciodieta, Ext. 2306District #14 - Stephanie von Glinsky, Ext. 2307Assistants:Mona Lothian, Ext. 2302Annette Sawyer, Ext. 2304Jo-Lynn Leithiser, Ext. 2303

Northern Maine DISTRICT 15UniServ Director:

District #16: Lou Willey, Ext. 2401Assistant: Dianne Leighton, Ext. 2400

128 Sweden St., Suite 2Mail: PO Drawer 310, Caribou ME 04736Tel. 498-3191 or 1-800-281-3191 Fax 498-3032Get directions to the Caribou Office.