Asian American history poised to be added to Maine learning results
Both chambers of the Maine Legislature passed a bill that would require Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history to be taught in Maine schools.
The Senate on Thursday passed LD 957 with a 19-13 vote, after the House did so one day prior without a roll call.
The bill would require the Maine Department of Education to convene a volunteer advisory committee to collect information and prepare materials to teach this history. It would also require the department to develop a process to enable schools to conduct internal audits of their curriculum to ensure the history is being adequately and accurately taught.
Though, with a one-time cost of $15,000 for the department to convene the advisory group and prepare teaching materials, the legislation is expected to be placed on the appropriations table.
Bills that land on this table, which is managed by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee that sets the budget, have already passed the full Legislature with initial votes. However, if they don't have a specific funding source, they have to vie for remaining unappropriated money.
Essentially, that's everything being voted through with a fiscal note because lawmakers are still drafting what will be in the next two year budget plan.
This bill is one of several being considered this session to ensure diverse histories are taught in Maine schools, though the other bills seek to make sure already required curricula are actually being taught.
Lawmakers revisit bills to ensure diverse histories are taught in Maine schools
Maine has required Wabanaki and African American studies to be taught in schools since 2001 and 2021, respectively.
But, school districts have failed to consistently and appropriately include Wabanaki studies in their curricula, according to a 2022 report, and many caution African American studies could see the same fate without additional resources and accountability measures.
Last year, two separate bills were combined into one that proposed establishing a commission on Wabanaki and African American studies but that legislation died without final action. This idea is back for consideration this session with distinct bills.
LD 1474, sponsored by Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono), would permanently establish a Wabanaki studies specialist in the Maine Department of Education to ensure the standards are being met.
LD 1202, sponsored by Talbot Ross, would create the African American Studies Advisory Council to serve as a resource for educators, schools and the Department of Education to ensure the implementation of the curricula in accordance with existing state law.
Neither bills have received floor votes so far.
Another bill, LD 339, that sought to pilot a Wabanaki-centered curriculum for Wabanaki children attending public schools has been rejected by both chambers and is now effectively dead.
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