Statute Pertaining to Maine Native Studies


Title 20-A - §4706.  Instruction in American History, Maine Studies and Maine Native American History

American history and Maine studies must be taught as specified in Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction.

American history and civil government, including the Constitution of the United States, 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.
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 heritages, must be taught. A required component of Maine studies is Maine Native American studies, which is now included in Maine Learning Results: Parameters for Essential Instruction and must address the following topics:

  • Tribal governments and political systems and their relationship with local, state, national and international governments;
  • Maine Native American cultural systems and the experience of Maine tribal people throughout history;
  • Maine Native American territories; and
  • Maine Native American economic systems.

The current law can be found here.