00CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 146(FIN)                                                                                          
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, and mathematics.  The department shall                                    
08 determine the form and contents of the examination and shall score completed                                            
09 examinations.  A pupil who fails to pass the examination required under this                                            
10 subsection and who is no longer in attendance shall receive a certificate of attendance                                 
11 from the school district indicating the years of attendance and that the pupil has not                                  
12 passed a competency examination or received a diploma.                                                                  
13  (b)  A pupil who fails the examination required under this section may be                                             
14 reexamined.  A reexamination may not be offered more often than once every three                                        

01 months and must occur within three years after the date the pupil is no longer in                                       
02 attendance.  A pupil who passes the reexamination  and who meets any other                                              
03 graduation requirements shall receive a diploma from the school district.                                               
04    * Sec. 2.  REQUIRED REPORT.  By April 15, 1998, the Department of Education shall                                    
05 provide a report to the legislature containing the standards used to prepare the competency                             
06 examination required under sec. 1 of this Act.                                                                          
07    * Sec. 3.  Section 1 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2002.                                                       
08    * Sec. 4.  Section 2 of this Act takes effect July 1, 1997.