Social Studies - Legislative Information
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Social Studies related legislation enacted by the 125th Maine Legislature’s First Regular Session and now in effect:
LD 184: An Act to Promote the Financial Literacy of High School Students
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §254, sub-§13 is enacted to read:
13. Technical assistance; integrated model for instruction in personal finance. The commissioner shall develop a program of technical assistance that promotes the importance of financial literacy and encourages school administrative units to implement an integrated model for instruction in personal finance that may be used in secondary schools as part of the instruction in social studies or mathematics required by section 4722, subsection 2, paragraphs B and C. The commissioner, in consultation with the Finance Authority of Maine, the Office of Securities within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Jobs for Maine's Graduates, organizations representing banks, credit unions and financial professionals and other interested organizations promoting personal finance initiatives, shall prepare and distribute annually, in January, a report to school boards and superintendents that includes strategies and resources available to implement an integrated model for instruction in personal finance for use in secondary schools. The annual report must also be provided to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters, and the department shall post the report on its publicly accessible website.
LD 1211: An Act to Include Civics in the Social Studies and History Courses Required for a High School Diploma
As a result of recent legislation, Title 20-A MRSA §4722, sub-§2, ¶B was amended to require the teaching of civics as part of the required course of study for social studies and history before graduation from high school. The law does not require that civics be taught as a separate course in high school. However, it does require that civics be included in the required course of study for social studies and history for all students at the secondary level. Each school administrative unit can make its own decision of whether to teach civics in a separate course or integrate it into other social studies and history courses.
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12/22/11
