MaineMaine schools teach Wabanaki studies and review curricula
Maine schools teach Wabanaki studies as part of Maine studies, while a state specialist supports educators and the education department reviews school curricula.
What it does
A Wabanaki studies specialist helps schools and teachers find learning materials and advises the education department. The law also sets aside one-time money for advisors, training, and technical help.
Schools teach Wabanaki studies as part of Maine studies and review it as part of learning standards. Lessons cover Wabanaki governments, culture and history, territories, and economic systems.
The education department reviews Wabanaki studies curricula in a sample of schools and publishes what it finds about how they are being taught.
The State Board of Education may require teacher candidates to complete a Wabanaki studies component, but must first evaluate whether the requirement is needed.
Argument forSchools and teachers could get help finding teaching materials and training, which may make it easier to teach Wabanaki studies.
Argument againstSchools may need to spend time reviewing curricula, and teacher candidates could face an added certification requirement if the state board adopts rules.
More detail
A Wabanaki studies specialist works with advisors to help schools find teaching materials and advises the education department. The specialist supports school administrative units and educators across Maine and recommends curricula, teacher education courses, and training programs. The specialist works in consultation with contracted Wabanaki advisors. The specialist reports each year to the education commissioner and the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission.
Schools teach Wabanaki studies as part of Maine studies and include it in reviews of learning standards and performance measures. These requirements apply to Maine schools and cover Wabanaki studies about tribal people in the State. Wabanaki studies may also be taught as part of other subjects. It must cover tribal governments and political systems, Wabanaki culture and history, territories, and economic systems; it may include other curricula recommended by the specialist.
The education department studies Wabanaki studies curricula in a sample of schools and publishes its findings. The department studies curricula in a representative sample of schools. The study assesses how the curricula are being put into practice. The studies begin July 1, 2027, and must take place at least twice a year.
The State Board of Education may adopt rules requiring teacher certification candidates to complete a Wabanaki studies component. The possible requirement concerns qualifications for certifying teachers. The board must evaluate whether such rules are necessary; the law does not itself require candidates to complete the component. The board must complete its evaluation by July 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 16Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.Major
- Apr 13Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 13ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) thereto.Minor
- Apr 13Sent down for concurrence.
- Apr 13PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) thereto in NON-CONCURRENCE.Minor
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) as Amended by Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) thereto ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On further motion by Same Senator Senate Amendment "A" (S-681) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 13On further motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) was ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Same Senator the Senate SUSPENDED THE RULES to RECONSIDER their actions whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) in concurrence.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table
- 2025
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- Jun 11On motion by Senator BERNARD of Aroostook PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence.
- Jun 11Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 11PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Jun 10Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) in concurrence.Minor
- Vote recorded ACC MAJ OTP AS AMENDED REP. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 10Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Jun 10Bill READ ONCE.Minor
- Jun 10On motion by Senator RAFFERTY of York the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report ACCEPTED.
- Jun 10Reports Read
- Jun 10Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 10The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-577).Minor
- Jun 10Under suspension of the rules, the Bill was given its SECOND READING without REFERENCE to the Committee on Bills in the Second Reading.
- Jun 10Committee Amendment "A" (H-577) was READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Jun 10The Bill was READ ONCE.Minor
- Jun 10(Yeas 75 - Nays 72 - Absent 2 - Excused 2)
- Jun 10ROLL CALL NO. 404
- Jun 10On motion of Representative MURPHY of Scarborough, the Majority Ought to Pass as Amended Report was ACCEPTED.
- Jun 10Reports READ.
- Jun 6Reported Out - OTP-AM/ONTP
- May 16Voted - Divided Report
- May 16Work Session Held
- May 13Work Session Held - TABLED
- Apr 8The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS in concurrenceMinor
- Apr 3Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 3The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.Minor
- Apr 3Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
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