67th Legislature HB 556.1
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 556
2 INTRODUCED BY K. WALSH, D. BEDEY, T. WELCH, J. WELBORN
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4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT PROVIDING STUDENTS ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF EARNING A
5 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA; REQUIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO CREATE A
6 PROCESS FOR STUDENTS TO DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY OF HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT
7 STANDARDS THROUGH ALTERNATIVE MEANS; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; AND
8 PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.”
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10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
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12 NEW SECTION. Section 1. State high school diploma -- duties of superintendent of public
13 instruction -- rulemaking. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall develop a process through which a
14 resident of the state who has exhausted, in the determination of the superintendent, the possibility of earning a
15 diploma from a high school accredited by the board of public education can pursue a Montana proficiency-
16 based diploma by demonstrating:
17 (a) proficiency of the content standards adopted by the board of public education through alternative
18 means; and
19 (b) perseverance and dedication in accomplishing a rigorous, long-term goal requiring maturity and
20 the application of knowledge to real-world situations.
21 (2) When an individual demonstrates proficiency, perseverance, and dedication as determined by the
22 superintendent of public instruction under subsection (1), the superintendent may issue to the individual a
23 Montana proficiency-based diploma.
24 (3) An individual enrolled in a home school or nonpublic school is not eligible for a Montana
25 proficiency-based diploma under this section.
26 (4) The superintendent of public instruction shall by rule prescribe the eligibility and qualifications for
27 pursuing a Montana proficiency-based diploma under this section.
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-1- Authorized Print Version – HB 556
67th Legislature HB 556.1
1 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an
2 integral part of Title 20, chapter 3, part 1, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 3, part 1, apply to [section 1].
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4 NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
5 - END -
-2- Authorized Print Version – HB 556