APPROVED CHAPTER
JUNE 16, 2021 247
BY GOVERNOR PUBLIC LAW
STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE
_____
H.P. 1235 - L.D. 1664
An Act To Integrate African American Studies and the History of Genocide
into the Statewide System of Learning Results
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §4706, as amended by PL 2009, c. 313, §§8 and 9, is further
amended to read:
§4706. Instruction in American history, African American studies, Maine studies
and, Maine Native American history and the history of genocide
Instruction in American history, African American studies, government, citizenship
and, Maine studies and the history of genocide must be aligned with the parameters for
essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209.
1. American history. American history, government and citizenship, including the
Constitution of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the
importance of voting and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, must be taught
in and required for graduation from all elementary and secondary schools, both public and
private. African American studies must be included in the review of content standards and
performance indicators of the system of learning results conducted in accordance with
section 6209, subsection 4.
2. Maine studies. Maine history, including the Constitution of Maine, Maine
geography and environment and the natural, industrial and economic resources of Maine
and Maine's cultural and ethnic heritage, must be taught. A required component of Maine
studies is Maine Native American studies, which. Maine Native American studies and
Maine African American studies must be included in the review of content standards and
performance indicators of the learning results conducted in accordance with section 6209,
subsection 4. The Maine Native American studies must address the following topics:
A. Maine tribal governments and political systems and their relationship with local,
state, national and international governments;
B. Maine Native American cultural systems and the experience of Maine tribal people
throughout history;
C. Maine Native American territories; and
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 D. Maine Native American economic systems.
3. History of genocide. The history of genocide, including the Holocaust, must be
included in the review of content standards and performance indicators of the system of
learning results conducted in accordance with section 6209, subsection 4.
Sec. 2. Resource development; advisory group; curriculum audit; report.
The Department of Education is responsible for fulfilling the requirements of this section.
1. Development of resources. The department shall identify and make available to
schools resources and materials for teaching African American studies, including Maine
African American studies, pursuant to this Act.
2. Advisory group. The department shall, within 30 days after the effective date of
this Act, convene a volunteer advisory group to collect information and prepare materials
for the teaching of African American studies and Maine African American studies. The
advisory group must include scholars of African American history and culture;
representatives from African American civil rights organizations in the State, African
American history and cultural organizations and the Gerald E. Talbot Collection at the
University of Southern Maine; the Maine State Archivist; and members of the public with
personal experience that would inform the collection of information and preparation of
materials under this section. The department shall include at least one member from the
advisory group in any group or committee convened to review the parameters for essential
instruction and graduation requirements for social studies pursuant to the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6209, subsection 4.
3. Guidance; best practices; exemplar modules. The department shall develop
guidance, best practices and exemplar modules to support the integration of African
American studies and Maine African American studies into the instruction of American
history and Maine history.
4. Curriculum audit. The department shall develop a process that supports and
enables a local school administrative unit to conduct an internal audit of its curriculum to
ensure an equitable representation of African American voices and an accurate historical
account of African American history and culture.
5. Reporting. The department shall submit a report on the progress of the
implementation of this Act to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over education matters no later than April 1, 2022.
Sec. 3. Effective date. That section of this Act that amends the Maine Revised
Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4706 takes effect July 1, 2023.
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Statutes affected:
Bill Text LD 1664, HP 1235: 20-A.4706
Bill Text ACTPUB , Chapter 247: 20-A.4706