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An Act To Include Family Life Skills in the System of Learning Results
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4721,  as amended by PL 2001, c. 454, §22, is further amended to read:
§ 4721. General requirement
A secondary school shall provide a course of study of at least 2 years in length, which must meet the requirements of this chapter and the system of learning results established in section 6209. The course of study must include instruction of all students in English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, health and physical education, career preparation, visual and performing arts and, foreign languages and family life skills.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §6202-A, sub-§3, ¶C,  as enacted by PL 2005, c. 446, §4, is amended to read:
 
C.  By the 2011-2012 school year, the awarding of learning results endorsements must be determined by student achievement of the standards of the system of learning results in each of the 89 content areas of the system of learning results based on the school administrative unit's assessment system.
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §6202-A, sub-§4, ¶C,  as enacted by PL 2005, c. 446, §4, is amended to read:
 
C.  By the 2011-2012 school year, the awarding of learning results endorsements in addition to the high school diploma for publicly funded students in private schools must be determined by student achievement of the standards of the system of learning results in each of the 89 content areas of the system of learning results, in addition to other requirements as established by the trustees.
Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §6209, first ¶,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §14, is further amended to read:
The department in consultation with the state board shall establish and implement a comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, referred to in this section as the "system," no later than the 2002-03 school year. The system, based broadly upon guiding principles set forth in this section, must establish high academic standards at all grade levels in the areas of math; English; science and technology; social studies, including history, economics and civics; career preparation; visual and performing arts; health and physical education; and foreign languages; and family life skills, including but not limited to financial skills such as budgeting and personal finance, health care choices and family dynamics. Only students in a public school or a private school approved for tuition that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students, as determined by the previous school year's October and April average enrollment, are required to participate in the system of learning results. The commissioner shall develop accommodation provisions for instances where course content conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of a student's parent or guardian. The system must be adapted to accommodate children with disabilities as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-A.
Sec. 5. 20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§1, ¶F,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 649, §1, is amended to read:
 
F.  An integrative and informed thinker who:
 
(1) Applies knowledge and skills in and across English language arts, visual and performing arts, foreign languages, health and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and, career preparation and family life skills; and
 
(2) Comprehends relationships among different modes of thought and methods associated with the traditional disciplines.
Sec. 6. 20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1995, c. 649, §1, is amended to read:
 
2. Content standards.   Each student shall study and achieve proficiency in the following content standard subject areas:
 
A.  Career preparation;
 
B.  English language arts;
 
C.  Foreign languages;
 
D.  Health and physical education;
 
E.  Mathematics;
 
F.  Science and technology;
 
G.  Social studies; and
 
H.  Visual and performing arts.; and
 
I.   Family life skills.
 
SUMMARY
This bill includes family life skills, including but not limited to financial skills such as budgeting and personal finance, health care choices and family dynamics, in the system of learning results.