§320-U. Maine Experiential Education Program
The Maine Experiential Education Program is established to support the outdoor, experiential and farm and sea to school learning program needs of public schools and school administrative units.
[PL 2025, c. 183, §1 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 183, §4 (AFF).]
1.
Program administration.
The department shall administer the program. In administering the program, the department may collaborate with the Department of Education and other state agencies and nonprofit organizations that support farm and sea to school learning programs, local food procurement and other experiential learning initiatives in public schools and school administrative units.
[PL 2025, c. 183, §1 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 183, §4 (AFF).]
2.
Purposes.
The program shall:
A.
Develop and manage a grant program to help public schools and school administrative units create staff positions that support:
(1)
The learning and academic development of students by ensuring that public schools and school administrative units interested in the program have the capacity necessary to provide experiential hands-on learning;
(2)
The health and physical development of students by ensuring that public schools and school administrative units interested in the program have the capacity necessary to help students build connections between the food that students and their communities produce and the food that they prepare and eat; and
(3)
The emotional and behavioral development of students by ensuring that public schools and school administrative units interested in the program have the capacity necessary to build, expand and maintain school gardens and other experiential learning spaces; and
[PL 2025, c. 183, §1 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 183, §4 (AFF).]
B.
Provide ongoing support to public school educators engaged in experiential hands-on education initiatives for continuing education and professional development opportunities.
[PL 2025, c. 183, §1 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 183, §4 (AFF).]
[PL 2025, c. 183, §1 (NEW); PL 2025, c. 183, §4 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2025, c. 183, §1 (NEW). PL 2025, c. 183, §4 (AFF).