AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   The Maine Department of Education may help middle schools launch career and technical education programs under a new law.

Starting this school year, the state can disburse money for pilot projects launched by schools and regional career and technical education centers.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage on Monday signed the law sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Langley.

The state’s education commissioner can contract for services to implement such pilot programs. Maine’s education commissioner is required to report by Jan. 15 on the state’s progress in funding and evaluating the pilot projects.

A 2017 law allows Maine career and technical education programs to serve students in grades 6 to 8.

Maine’s education department aims to double student enrollment in the state’s 27 vocational schools by 2020.