Maryland Education Section 7-205.1

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

// SPECIAL NOTE: THE FOLLOWING SECTION WAS CHANGED BY CHAPTER 115 OF 2001 AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2006 //

      (a)      In this section, "Program" means the Maryland Adult External High School Program established for the citizens of Maryland under regulations adopted by the State Board.

      (b)      According to these regulations:

            (1)      The State Board recognizes demonstrated competencies in adults, regardless of whether these competencies were acquired in a formal school setting; and

            (2)      In response to this recognition of competencies, the Department provides alternative requirements and methods of obtaining a Maryland high school diploma.

      (c)      (1)      Because the Program is a valuable service that is provided to the citizens of Maryland, for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2006 the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill submitted to the General Assembly, including any proposed supplemental budget, a General Fund appropriation for the Maryland Adult External High School Program in an amount not less than the amount of the Governor's General Fund appropriation for the Program in fiscal year 1996.

            (2)      For each of fiscal years 1998 through 2006 the Governor shall include federal funds, to the extent available, for the Program in an amount not less than the amount of the Governor's federal fund appropriation for the Program in fiscal year 1996.

      (d)      During fiscal year 2006, in order to assess the effectiveness of the Program, the State Board shall conduct an evaluation of the Program.

      (e)      The State Board shall report to the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2005, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, on the results of the evaluation of the Program.