AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine school districts will now be allowed to choose whether they want to use proficiency-based diplomas or different standards for graduation.
A bill calling for the change became law Friday. The Portland Press Herald reports the law's a rollback of graduation standards that were set to be required of this year's freshman class.
A law was passed in 2012 that would have required students to show proficiency in key areas such as math, English and science before graduating. Lawmakers later reached a compromise enabling districts to choose whether to use the new standards.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage has signed the bill into law.
Republican Rep. Heidi Sampson of Alfred says the proficiency requirements won't be forced on teachers and parents who don't want them.
