Speaker Fecteau Introduces Bill to Expand Access to Career and Technical Education

LD 1764 would ensure schools across Maine can offer CTE programming

AUGUSTA – Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau (D-Biddeford) this week introduced a bill (LD 1764) that would help smaller Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers and regions maintain programming access.

“The goal of LD 1764 is to make sure that all students in Maine have the option of career and technical education programming,” said Speaker Ryan Fecteau. “These programs are an important educational option for students and can help prepare them for well-paying, in-demand jobs in our communities. Your zip code should not determine whether you can access a CTE program.”

LD 1764 proposes to adjust the instructor-to-student ratio for CTE centers and regions with fewer than 1,000 students, from 13:1 to 8:1. The current 13:1 ratio can be a hardship for programs located in rural areas of the state and in some cases can result in the loss of CTE programming.

"This bill would provide smaller Maine CTEs with the stability they need to maintain full-time CTE programs even if their enrollment numbers slip below the 13:1 ratio of students to instructors," said Kevin Lavoie, St. John Valley Tech Center Director and board member of Maine Administrators of Career and Technical Education. "This will ensure that Maine students can access this important educational pathway and pursue their career goals no matter where they live in our state."

The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.

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