Public Law Chapter 171, “An Act To Enable Earlier Introduction of Career and Technical Education in Maine Schools,” was enacted in June 2017 to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities by requiring Maine schools to provide access to developmentally-appropriate CTE for middle school students (grades 6-8). The expansion of CTE to middle school builds on a long history of providing high-quality and industry-relevant CTE to students in high school grades 9-12. The Department also responded with a goal to increase CTE participation by 100% by 2020.
The funds, as established by 2018 PL Chapter 446, §15688, were created to facilitate the development and implementation of career and technical education pilots by CTE regions and centers in collaboration with middle. A Request for Proposals (RFP) will be announced soon with more details about this opportunity.
For more information about middle school CTE implementation in Maine please contact Margaret.harvey@maine.gov.