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An Act To Create an Additional Pathway To Certify Industrial Arts Teachers To Foster Career and Technical Subjects in Maine Schools
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §13011, sub-§6-C  is enacted to read:
 
6-C.  Additional pathway for industrial arts certification.     The state board shall 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 as defined by the department with an experiential lab that includes, but is not limited to automotive body repair, diagnostics and mechanics; welding; electrical; carpentry; and computer-aided design. At a minimum, rules adopted pursuant to this subsection must include the following qualifications in order for a teacher to be eligible for an endorsement:
 
A.  A completed apprenticeship registered with a statewide or national apprenticeship and training organization;
 
B.  A completed 2-year degree or certificate from a technical institution accredited by a national association of career and technical schools or similar organization;
 
C.  Completion of a minimum number of hours of paid applied employment or teaching in the area for which the endorsement is sought; and
 
D.  Completion of a minimum number of hours of experience learning the trade or craft in the area for which the endorsement is sought.
 
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
 
SUMMARY
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 lab 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. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.