SENATOR CAIN SPONSORS TWO MEASURES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND MEET WORKFORCE NEEDS

Bills would establish funds to expand professional development opportunities for teachers, and bolster STEM education

AUGUSTA – Senator Emily Ann Cain (D-Orono) is sponsoring two bills that if passed would strengthen public education in Maine.

The first would establish a fund to provide up to 10 additional days of professional development to teachers and other educators in Maine public schools.

“It is crucial that our teachers receive ongoing training and continuing education to support the needs of their students,” said Senator Cain. “This bill allows teachers and the School Board to have control over the kind of professional development opportunities that they need and want, ensuring that they meet the specific needs and challenges of their students.”

The second measure would authorize and provides funding for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Council to establish the office of executive director. This would allow the STEM Council to carry out its goals, which include initiatives to advance science and math education, career awareness campaigns, and internship opportunities for high school and college students in these fields.

“The significance of STEM education in Maine cannot be overstated,” said Senator Cain. “These are the jobs of the future, and we need strong, relevant training right now. We need to encourage our young people to seriously consider these career paths and guarantee that they have the support to pursue them.”

According to the Maine Employment Outlook to 2018, prepared by the Department of Labor, Maine’s fastest growing occupations will be in the field of health care, largely due to the aging population. Computers-related occupations are also growing at a faster than average rate. The Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future has identified strengthening education in the high-demand STEM disciplines as key to Maine’s economic future.

Both bills, LD 1131, “An Act To Improve Professional Development Opportunities for Teachers and Other Public School Employees,” and LD 1132, “An Act To Achieve Economic Growth by Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education and To Meet Workforce Needs,” held public hearings today before the Education Committee.

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