Mideast Assembly Thread

[afleitch]

Comprehensive Education Act

Background.

The School Standards Reform Act was passed by the Senate in August 2009, however a caveat in the law meant that it didn't take effect until August 10, 2011. Now that it is in force, this legislation is to bring Mideast education up to this level. The Senate legislation stated;

"This legislation shall not be interpreted as to override any stricter standards upheld by law within any Regions or lower-level authorities, nor to discourage school districts or students from exceeding the minimum requirements."

As a result the legislation proposed below brings together some of our existing legislation

Section 1: Terminology

For the purposes of this legislation:

“Elementary school” shall refer to any school offering only grades below 5th, inclusive.
“Middle school” shall refer to any school offering only grades below 8th, inclusive, with at least one grade above 6th, inclusive.
“High school” shall refer to any school offering at least one grade above 9th, inclusive.

Section 2: Elementary School Reforms

All public elementary schools shall be required to offer pre-K and Kindergarten programs to all students within the district whose guardians wish them to be enrolled. The federal government shall provide matching funds to the regions of up to 40% the total cost of such programs.
 
All children must be enrolled in school, public or otherwise, within one and a half years of their fourth birthdays.

Section 3: Middle School Reforms

All public middle schools must offer at least one foreign language program. Enrollment in said program may be optional, as dictated by regional and district law.

All students in grades 6 through 8 shall be required to study science, English, history, and mathematics for all of their three years in said grades. All public middle schools must offer said subjects for all three grades.

Section 4: High School Reforms

 All public high school students must complete, between 9th and 12th grade, at least four courses in mathematics, four courses in English, three courses in a single foreign language, three courses in the social sciences, one course in Atlasian history, three courses of science with at least three of said courses lab intensive, in addition to four elective courses.

All public high schools must offer classes on mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, English, Atlasian history, world history, and at least (but not limited to) two different foreign languages sufficient in number to allow students to complete the above requirements.

All public high schools with a student body greater than 400 that offer at least 3 advanced courses (Advanced Placement, Running Start and International Baccalaureate are acceptable) shall receive up to 30% the total cost of such programs split evenly between the governing region and federal government.

High school students as an elective course may undertake craft, skill, and artistry apprenticeships alongside traditional academic education Non-academic subjects shall be examined as per academic subjects according to current examination guidelines. Non-academic subjects may be studied in approved and inspected facilities outside of designated educational establishments.

Section 5. Repealed Legislation

The Mideast Second Educational Reform Statute is hereby repealed.

[afleitch]

How would my fellow Assemblymembers and Governor feel about a law abolishing laws requiring citizens to wear a seatbelt? I was thinking, no longer making it a requirement for people 18 and older, as well as an rodents. Basically leaving it to the insurance companies.

Thoughts?

Opposed

I would veto it if it passed.

[afleitch]

Re-introduced from the last session (TJ's bill):

Mideast Welfare Drug Screening

Section 1: All adults with prior drug convictions applying for governmental income assistance in the Mideast Region must pass a drug screening free of illegal substances to receive benefits.

Section 2: The cost of the testing is paid for by the individual filing for benefits, but will be reimbursed upon producing a clean test.

Section 3: If the use of an illegal substance is detected on a test, that person is barred from receiving benefits for six months. In the event of a second failed drug test, the person in question is barred from receiving benefits for three years.

Section 4: If an adult filing on behalf of children fails a drug screening, that adult may not receive the children’s benefits, but the benefits may instead be transferred to the children through another adult.

It will be vetoed again unless Section 4 is removed or amended.

[afleitch]

Well the law is the law. For the record our previous Governor also fell foul of the law and it's an oft forgotten part of the statute. I do have a difficulty in editing the Wiki as it's not something I'm versed in. If anyone can do it you are more than welcome to take over.

[afleitch]

Amendment of the Mideast Time of Alcohol Sales Statute

The Mideast Time of Alcohol Sales Statute shall be amended to read:

1. Alcoholic beverages may be sold by licensed retailers, where licenses shall be issued to retailers according to rules and regulations promulgated by local jurisdictions.

2. All licenses shall allow the sale of alcohol on any day of the year.

3. All licenses for sale of alcohol to be consumed off the retailer's premises shall allow the sale of alcohol between 0600 local time and midnight local time. Individual local jurisdictions may extend hours for sale to part or whole of midnight local time to 0600 local time. All licenses for the sale of alcohol shall allow the sale of alcohol 24 hours a day.

4. All licenses for sale of alcohol to be consumed on the retailer's premises shall allow for the sale of alcohol at any time.

Doesn't that centralise licensing laws taking power away from local jurisdictions over sale hours? Never had you down for someone who supports 24hr drinking