Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, § 6201: Legislative intent, 1983

The Legislature finds that all students graduating from high school must be prepared for success in postsecondary education, careers and citizenship and that a statewide educational assessment program must be implemented. [PL 2009, c. 313, §19 (AMD).] There is a need for assessment information at both state and local levels to measure progress and ensure accountability regarding the implementation of the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements under section 6209 and in the department rules implementing that section and other curricular requirements. This must be accomplished through assessments to determine what each student knows and is able to demonstrate regarding the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements. [PL 2009, c. 313, §19 (AMD).] The assessment system must have the following objectives: [PL 2009, c. 313, §19 (AMD).] 1. Statewide assessment. To provide information on the academic achievement and progress of Maine students; [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. D, §§3, 4 (NEW).] 2. State goals. To establish a process for a continuing evaluation of the system of learning results established in section 6209 and to aid in the development of educational policies, standards and programs; [PL 2001, c. 454, §28 (AMD).] 3. Local programs. To provide school officials with information to assess the quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of educational materials and methods and curriculum needs, including remediation, interventions and enrichment in their schools; [PL 2009, c. 313, §19 (AMD).] 4. Individual students. To provide school staffs with information about the individual students that may be used, with other information, to meet individual and education needs of the student. The statewide assessment program may not be the only criteria for judging student performance; [PL 2009, c. 313, §19 (AMD).] 5. Trends. To identify year-to-year trends in student achievement; and [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. D, §§3, 4 (NEW).] 6. Parents. To provide parents with information about the achievements of their children. [PL 2009, c. 313, §19 (AMD).]