Career/Vocational Technical Education

CVTE Safety Advisory Number Four

To:	Superintendents of School Districts with Chapter 74-Approved Vocational Technical Education Programs
From:	Jeffrey Wheeler, State Director of Career/Vocational Technical Education
Date:	February 1, 2008

Recommended Teacher-Student Ratio on Unpaid Off-Campus Construction and Maintenance Projects

Safety is paramount. The recommended teacher-student ratio on unpaid off-campus construction and maintenance projects is one (1) appropriately licensed teacher to eight (8) or less students. The section of the Vocational Technical Education Regulations (4.06) that addresses unpaid-off campus construction and maintenance projects is reprinted below in italics. If you have any questions, please call me at 781-338-3955. (1) 603 CMR 4.06 applies to off-campus construction and/or maintenance projects in which students acquire academic and vocational technical skills on an unpaid basis.
(2) A licensed teacher in that approved vocational technical education program area shall provide continuous supervision at the job site.
(3) School districts shall ensure that the school district has adequate liability coverage and that participating students have been provided with insurance coverage (either directly or through other acceptable alternatives such as municipal self-insurance) for: medical benefits, loss of life, dismemberment or loss of sight, liability coverage for bodily injury, assumption by the school district of the cost of any deductible.
(4) Students shall not be required to waive their legal rights as a condition of participation in the project.
(5) Only those students who are enrolled in an approved vocational technical education program and who have demonstrated those academic, technical and employability competencies associated with at least one and one half years of full time study in the vocational technical education program project area, and in no case shall students be allowed to participate in such projects without a minimum enrollment of at least one year in the vocational technical program.
(6) Prior to participation, students shall receive appropriate safety and health training and shall have demonstrated sufficient safety competency attainment as determined by the school district. Projects shall comply with the standards set forth in M.G.L.c.149 and the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding workplace safety and health.

Last Updated: February 13, 2008