§4706. Instruction in American history, African American studies, Maine studies, Wabanaki studies and the history of genocide
(CONFLICT)
(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)
(FUTURE CONFLICT; WHOLE SECTION TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL CONTINGENCY: See PL 2025, c. 535, §4)
Instruction in American history, African American studies, government, citizenship, Maine studies, the history of genocide and Wabanaki studies must be aligned with the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209.
[PL 2025, c. 762, §2 (AMD).]
1.
American history.
American history, government and citizenship, including 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.
[PL 2021, c. 247, §1 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 247, §3 (AFF).]
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. 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.
A.
[PL 2025, c. 762, §3 (RP).]
B.
[PL 2025, c. 762, §3 (RP).]
C.
[PL 2025, c. 762, §3 (RP).]
D.
[PL 2025, c. 762, §3 (RP).]
[PL 2025, c. 762, §3 (AMD).]
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.
[PL 2021, c. 247, §1 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 247, §3 (AFF).]
4.
Wabanaki studies.
Wabanaki 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. Wabanaki studies may include social studies, English language arts, mathematics, science and fine arts in accordance with this subsection. Wabanaki studies must address the following topics:
A.
Tribal governments in the State and political systems and their relationship with local, state, national and international governments;
[PL 2025, c. 762, §4 (NEW).]
B.
Wabanaki cultural systems and the experience of tribal people in the State throughout history;
[PL 2025, c. 762, §4 (NEW).]
C.
Wabanaki territories;
[PL 2025, c. 762, §4 (NEW).]
D.
Wabanaki economic systems; and
[PL 2025, c. 762, §4 (NEW).]
E.
Other curricula recommended by the Wabanaki studies specialist pursuant to section 15.
[RR 2025, c. 2, Pt. A, §102 (COR).]
Beginning July 1, 2027, the department shall, in a representative sample of schools, no less than biannually study the Wabanaki studies curricula under this subsection to assess its implementation. The department shall publish its findings on the department's publicly accessible website.
[RR 2025, c. 2, Pt. A, §102 (COR).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1983, c. 859, §§C5,C7 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 655, §4 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 403, §1 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 454, §§19,20 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 667, §A42 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 510, §B5 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 313, §§8,9 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 247, §1 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 247, §3 (AFF). PL 2023, c. 537, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 762, §§2-4 (AMD). RR 2025, c. 2, Pt. A, §102 (COR).