AUGUSTA – A bill introduced by Sen. Joe Rafferty D-Kennebunk, would further expand career and technical education programs to Maine middle schools. The bill, LD 33, “An Act to Expand Access to Career and Technical Education Opportunities for Middle School Students,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs Feb. 9.

Joe Rafferty Courtesy photo

“As we have frequently heard, Maine faces numerous challenges in training the workforce needed by businesses statewide,” said Rafferty in a news release. “That is particularly evident in the trades. This proposed legislation removes roadblocks and allows for the current Career and Technical Education Centers in Maine to expand their programs to middle schools within their service districts.”

Vice-Chair of the State Board of Education Paulette Bonneau, a member of its Career and Technical Education Committee and Director of Biddeford Regional Center of Technology was among those providing testimony. “I am here today on behalf of the State Board to speak in support of L.D. 33,” she said, noting passage would allocate funding to career and technical education centers to provide exploration programs for middle school students.

Bonneau also noted that the State Board of Education’s Strategic Plans have placed a priority on developing and supporting middle school exploratory programs since 2016 and allocated $500,000 for initial implementation of the program in 2017.

Also testifying in support of the bill was the Manufacturers Association of Maine.

“The bill before you aims to help increase those opportunities for middle school students by expanding the allocation of money for CTE exploration programs,” said Michael Paradise of the Manufacturer’s Association of Maine. “The right state resources combined with business support, can be a very effective way for kids to explore their interests and possibly make some career choices attending a CTE school along the way. For that reason, the Manufacturers Association strongly supports this legislation and asks the committee to unanimously vote the bill ought to pass.”

Dwight Littlefield Career and Technical Education team coordinator at the Department of Education out lined some history: In June of 2017 he noted, the Legislature passed An Act to Enable Earlier Introduction of Career and Technical Education in Maine Schools.

“With this legislation came $1.5 million dollars that was made available to CTE schools to implement middle school pilot programs for three years at $500,000 a year,” Littlefield said. “The goal at the conclusion of the three years was to have a middle school model that could be implemented across the state, along with sustainable funding. Over the three years of the pilots, we saw participating CTE s grow from 14 to 21 locations while the number of students served grew 44 percent. This bill would provide ongoing funding for CTE middle school exploration projects.” He said the DOE had included $500,000 in its budget.

The legislation, which originates from the Maine Department of Education, supports the continuation of CTE exploration programs in middle schools,” said Rep. David Woodsome, R- Waterboro, a retired schoolteacher and co-sponsor of the bill. “We have a robust and growing CTE system here in Maine, and introducing the kinds of pathways and opportunities our CTEs offer is an excellent way to ensure our young people continue to take advantage of this valuable resource.”

The bill faces further committee work at a date to be determined.