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An Act To Allow Public Schools To Offer Classes Limited to Students of a Single Gender
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §1, sub-§33-A  is enacted to read:
 
33-A.  Single-gender class.     "Single-gender class" means an elementary or secondary school class comprised of students of the same sex.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §4703, sub-§§8 and 9, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 313, §7, are amended to read:
 
8. Dual enrollment.   Dual enrollment; or
 
9. Gifted and talented programs.   Gifted and talented programs.; or
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §4703, sub-§10  is enacted to read:
 
10.  Single-gender classes.     In accordance with section 4703-A, single-gender classes.
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA §4703-A  is enacted to read:
§ 4703-A. Single-gender classes
An elementary or secondary school that offers a single-gender class pursuant to section 4703, subsection 10 shall first establish a policy that ensures that the single-gender class is substantially related to achieving important educational objectives. A school also shall ensure that participation in a single-gender class is voluntary and shall offer a substantially equal coeducational class to all students. A school that offers a single-gender class shall conduct an evaluation of that class at least every 2 years and shall maintain records that demonstrate compliance with other state and federal laws governing single-gender classes during the evaluation period.
 
SUMMARY
This bill adds single-gender classes to the pathways that may be used to provide learning opportunities for elementary and secondary school students in the State. The bill also specifies policies that elementary and secondary schools must adopt before offering single-gender classes. It also provides a definition of "single-gender class" in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A.