– LD 617, HP 394 – An Act to Foster Career and Technical Education in Maine Schools by Creating an Additional Pathway to Certify Industrial Arts Teachers

This bill directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules to amend the credentialing of education personnel to create a pathway for a teacher to obtain an endorsement on a teaching certificate for a component of industrial arts with an experiential laboratory that includes, but is not limited to: automotive body repair, diagnostics and mechanics; welding; electrical; carpentry; and computer-aided design. Rules must include at least the following qualifications for a teacher to be eligible for an endorsement: a completed apprenticeship registered with a statewide or national apprenticeship and training organization; a completed 2-year degree or certificate from a technical institution accredited by a national association of career and technical schools or similar organization; completion of a minimum number of hours of paid applied employment or teaching in the endorsement area being sought; and completion of a minimum number of hours of experience learning the trade or craft for which the endorsement is sought.

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