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Amend the amendment by striking out the first 7 lines after the title (page 1, lines 11 to 17 in amendment)
Amend the amendment in section 7 in §4722-A by adding after subsection 3 the following:
 
‘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.’
Amend the amendment by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment removes the mandate preamble and requires the Department of Education, if funds are available, to make annual grants to school administrative units to fund the costs of transition to proficiency-based graduation standards for the awarding of high school diplomas. The grants are equal to 1/10 of 1% of a school administrative unit's total cost of education. The amendment also extends the date for implementation of the new system by one year for each year in which transition grants are not made or for which levels of general purpose aid for local schools fall below school year 2012-2013 levels.