CHAPTER 683
H.P. 1420 - L.D. 2027
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §2501, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 693, §§5 and 8, is amended to read:
The school boards of 2 or more administrative units may file an application to the commissioner for the purpose of entering a shared service agreement to carry out a specified educational function. A shared service agreement may include, but is not limited to, the provision of an alternative educational program or an educational program setting in which some students may achieve at higher levels than with the prevailing modes of regular classroom instruction.
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §8402, as amended by PL 1991, c. 518, §12, is further amended to read:
A center shall provide programs of vocational education. Programs of vocational education are eligible to receive state subsidy pursuant to chapters 606 and 609. All programs of vocational education offered by a center must be approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A. The programs must offer a sequence of courses that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations and may include training and education in academic and business skills preparing students to further their education at the technical college or other college level or allowing students to use trade and occupational skills on other than an employee basis. Programs of vocational education may also include alternative educational programs and training and education in music, athletics, art and other activities approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A.
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §8451-A, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 518, §18, is amended to read:
A region shall provide programs of vocational education. Programs of vocational education are eligible to receive state subsidy pursuant to chapters 606 and 609. All programs of vocational education offered by a region must be approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A. The programs must offer a sequence of courses that are directly related to the preparation of individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations and may include training and education in academic and business skills preparing students to further their education at the technical college or college level or allowing students to use trade and occupational skills on other than an employee basis. Programs of vocational education may also include alternative educational programs and training and education in music, athletics, art and other activities approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 8306-A.
Sec. 4. School-based decision making. The Commissioner of Education shall encourage the use of school-based management and provisions for the ongoing engagement of parents and other members of the school community in school-based decision making, including the use of school councils on a pilot basis.
Sec. 5. Regional choice. In establishing criteria for grants as provided in Private and Special Law 1999, c. 56, the Commissioner of Education shall require each recipient regional alliance to establish consistent standards for regional public school choice using transfers as provided in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 5205. The standards must include a common, comprehensible and concise application form for use by parents and students, a common set of transfer criteria to be mutually agreed upon by the sending and receiving school units, and the allowance of transfers in such numbers as to provide for meaningful public school choice.
Sec. 6. Charter schools stakeholders group. Not later than August 31, 2000, the Commissioner of Education or a designee shall convene a representative group of interested parties to determine the requirements and options for the State in applying for federal charter school grant funds. The group shall issue a report containing its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over educational matters on or before December 15, 2000. The committee may introduce a bill related to charter schools to the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature.
Effective August 11, 2000, unless otherwise indicated.
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