An Act To Enhance Career and Technical Education
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§3, as amended by PL 2009, c. 313, §17, is further amended to read:
Students who experience education disruption, as defined in section 5001-A, subsection 4, paragraph F, who successfully demonstrate achievement of the content standards of the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to secondary school students as set forth in their school work recognition plans as defined in section 5161, subsection 6 must, with the approval of the commissioner, be awarded a Department of Education diploma as defined in section 5161, subsection 2.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §4801, sub-§2-A, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 617, §1, is amended to read:
The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish requirements for regional school calendars. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §8402, as amended by PL 2007, c. 667, §12, is further amended to read:
§ 8402. Programs
A center shall provide programs of career and technical education. Programs of career and technical education are eligible to receive state subsidy pursuant to chapters 606-B and 609. All programs of career and technical education offered by a center must be approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A. The programs must offer a sequence of courses that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations and may include training and education in academic and business skills preparing students to further their education at the community college or other college level or allowing students to use trade and occupational skills on other than an employee basis. Programs of career and technical education may also include alternative education programs and training and education in music, athletics, art and other activities approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A. A center may also provide courses described in section 4722, subsection 2, the successful completion of which satisfies the diploma requirements set forth in section 4722.
Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §8451-A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 667, §13, is further amended to read:
§ 8451-A. Programs
A region shall provide programs of career and technical education. Programs of career and technical education are eligible to receive state subsidy pursuant to chapters 606-B and 609. All programs of career and technical education offered by a region must be approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A. The programs must offer a sequence of courses that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations and may include training and education in academic and business skills preparing students to further their education at the community college or college level or allowing students to use trade and occupational skills on other than an employee basis. Programs of career and technical education may also include alternative education programs and training and education in music, athletics, art and other activities approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A. A center may also provide courses described in section 4722, subsection 2, the successful completion of which satisfies the diploma requirements set forth in section 4722.
Sec. 5. 20-A MRSA §12709, sub-§11-A is enacted to read:
summary
This bill increases opportunities for students in career and technical education programs by ensuring greater coordination of school calendars, requiring that students have access to career and technical education programming for the entire required instructional time and ensuring that the students get credit in their high school programs for academic competencies gained through separate or integrated courses in the career and technical education programs.
The bill also directs the President of the Maine Community College System to establish a process for determining the nature and amount of college credit that may be awarded to a student upon completion of a career and technical education program that uses national industry or state certification standards. The process will be set forth in a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Education and will not supersede any existing agreements between secondary career and technical education programs and individual colleges within the system.