00CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 146(HES)                                                                                          
01 "An Act relating to competency testing requirements for secondary students; and                                         
02 providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1.  AS 14.03 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                   
05  Sec. 14.03.075.  Secondary pupil competency testing.  (a)  A pupil may not                                            
06 be issued a secondary school diploma unless the pupil passes a competency                                               
07 examination in the areas of reading, English, mathematics, science, Alaska history, and                                 
08 United States history.  The department shall determine the form and contents of the                                     
09 examination and shall score completed examinations.  A pupil who fails to pass the                                      
10 examination required under this subsection and who is no longer in attendance shall                                     
11 receive a certificate of attendance from the school district indicating the years of                                    
12 attendance and that the pupil has not passed a competency examination or received a                                     
13 diploma.                                                                                                                
14  (b)  A pupil who fails the examination required under this section may be                                             

01 reexamined.  A reexamination may not be offered more often than once every three                                        
02 months and must occur within three years after the date the pupil is no longer in                                       
03 attendance.  A pupil who passes the reexamination  and who meets any other                                              
04 graduation requirements shall receive a diploma from the school district.                                               
05    * Sec. 2.  REQUIRED REPORT.  By April 15, 1998, the Department of Education shall                                    
06 provide a report to the legislature containing the standards used to prepare the competency                             
07 examination required under sec. 1 of this Act.                                                                          
08    * Sec. 3.  Section 1 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2002.                                                       
09    * Sec. 4.  Section 2 of this Act takes effect July 1, 1997.