An Act To Prepare All Students for Work and Life by Requiring That Students Receive Instruction in Vocational Preparation and Practical Life Skills
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0318
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: KESCHL, BLACK, BRADSTREET, BRYANT, FOSTER, REED, RUDNICKI, SAMPSON, TUELL, BREEN
Amends: 20-A MRSA §1, 20-A MRSA §4711, 20-A MRSA §4712, 20-A MRSA §4721, 20-A MRSA §6209

Legislative Document
No. 318
H.P. 243
House of Representatives, January 24, 2019
An Act To Prepare All Students for Work and Life by Requiring 
That Students Receive Instruction in Vocational Preparation and 
Practical Life Skills
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative KESCHL of Belgrade.
Cosponsored by Senator BLACK of Franklin and
Representatives: BRADSTREET of Vassalboro, BRYANT of Windham, FOSTER of Dexter, 
REED of Carmel, RUDNICKI of Fairfield, SAMPSON of Alfred, TUELL of East Machias, 
Senator: BREEN of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §1, sub-§46 is enacted to read:
46.  Vocational preparation and practical life skills.  "Vocational preparation and 
practical life skills" means experiential instruction of students, regardless of career choice 
or pathway, that develops their understanding of interests, aptitudes and options related to 
work and study; develops core workplace skills in areas such as planning, 
communication, problem solving, teamwork and computer applications; and includes 
practical workplace and home economics experiences that maximize learning through 
hands-on application.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §4711, as amended by PL 2009, c. 313, §11, is further 
amended to read:
§4711.  Elementary course of study
The basic course of study for the elementary schools must provide for the instruction 
of all students in career vocational preparation and education development practical life 
skills, English language arts, world languages, health education and  physical education, 
mathematics, science and technology, social studies and visual and performing arts, as 
described in the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements subject 
to the schedule specified in section 6209.  
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §4712, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 313, §12, is amended to 
read:
§4712.  Junior high school or middle school course of study
The basic course of study for the junior high schools or middle schools must provide 
for the instruction of all students in career vocational preparation and education 
development practical life skills, English language arts, health education and physical 
education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, visual and performing 
arts and world languages, as described in the parameters for essential instruction and 
graduation requirements subject to the schedule specified in section 6209.
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA §4721, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 313, §13, is 
amended to read:
1.  Comprehensive program of instruction.  A secondary school shall provide a 
comprehensive program of instruction of at least 2 years in length, which must meet the 
requirements of this chapter and the parameters for essential instruction and graduation 
requirements established under section 6209.  The program must include instruction for 
all students in career vocational preparation and education development practical life 
skills, English language arts, health education and physical education, mathematics, 
science and technology, social studies, visual and performing arts and world languages.
Sec. 5.  20-A MRSA §6209, first ¶, as amended by PL 2015, c. 489, §3, is further 
amended to read:
The department in consultation with the state board shall establish and implement a 
comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, which may include a core of 
standards in English language arts and mathematics for kindergarten to grade 12 
established in common with the other states, as set forth in this section and in department 
rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The department must 
establish accountability standards at all grade levels in the areas of mathematics; reading; 
and science and technology. The department shall establish parameters for essential 
instruction in English language arts; mathematics; science and technology; social studies; 
career vocational preparation and education development practical life skills; visual and 
performing arts; health, physical education and wellness; and world languages.  Only a 
public school, a public charter school as defined in section 2401, subsection 9 or a private 
school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students, as 
determined by the previous school year's October and April average enrollment, is 
required to participate in the system of learning results set forth in this section and in 
department rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements.  The 
commissioner shall develop accommodation provisions for instances where course 
content conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of a student's parent or 
guardian.  The system must be adapted to accommodate children with disabilities as 
defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B.
Sec. 6.  20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2, ¶A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 259, §5, is 
further amended to read:
A.  Career Vocational preparation and education development practical life skills;
SUMMARY
This bill changes the requirement in the system of learning results from "career and 
education development" to "vocational preparation and practical life skills."  The bill 
defines "vocational preparation and practical life skills" to mean experiential instruction 
of students, regardless of career choice or pathway, that develops their understanding of 
interests, aptitudes and options related to work and study; develops core workplace skills 
in areas such as planning, communication, problem solving, teamwork and computer 
applications; and includes practical workplace and home economics experiences that 
maximize learning through hands-on application.