Below are several Maine statutes relevant to the teaching of social studies. To find the statutes in their online form, visit the Maine Legislature website.
§4706. Instruction in American history, Maine studies and Maine Native American history
Instruction in American history, government, citizenship and Maine studies must be aligned with the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209. [2009, c. 313, §8 (AMD).]
1. American history. American history, government and citizenship, 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.
[ 2009, c. 313, §9 (AMD) .]
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. A required component of Maine studies is Maine Native American studies, which must be included in the review of content standards and performance indicators of the learning results conducted in accordance with section 6209, subsection 4. The Maine Native American studies must address the following topics:
A. Maine tribal governments and political systems and their relationship with local, state, national and international governments; [2003, c. 510,Pt. B, §5 (RPR).]
B. Maine Native American cultural systems and the experience of Maine tribal people throughout history; [2003, c. 510, Pt. B, §5 (RPR).]
C. Maine Native American territories; and [2003, c. 510, Pt. B, §5 (RPR).]
D. Maine Native American economic systems. [2003, c. 510, Pt. B, §5 (RPR).]
§4722-A. Proficiency-based diploma standards and transcripts
Beginning January 1, 2017, a diploma indicating graduation from a secondary school must be based on student demonstration of proficiency as described in this section. The commissioner may permit a school administrative unit to award diplomas under this section prior to January 1, 2017 if the commissioner finds that the unit's plan for awarding diplomas meets the criteria for proficiency-based graduation under this section. [2011, c. 669, §7(NEW).]
1. Requirements for award of diploma. In order to award to a student a diploma indicating graduation from secondary school, a school subject to the system of learning results established under section 6209 must:
A. [2015, c. 489, §2 (RP).]
A-1. Certify that the student has met all requirements specified by the governing body of the school administrative unit attended by the student;[2015, c. 489, §2 (NEW).]
B. Certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting state standards in all content areas of the system of learning results established under section 6209; [2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD).]
B-1. Phase in the following diploma requirements from the 2020-2021 school year to the 2024-2025 school year:
(1) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2020-2021, certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology and social studies;
(2) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2021-2022, certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and at least one additional content area of the student’s choice;
(3) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2022-2023, certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and at least 2 additional content areas of the student’s choice;
(4) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2023-2024, certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and at least 3 additional content areas of the student’s choice; and
(5) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2024-2025 and for each subsequent graduating class, certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in all content areas.
For the purposes of this paragraph, "content areas" refers to the content areas of the system of learning results established under section 6209.[2015, c. 489, §2 (NEW).]
C. Certify that the student has demonstrated proficiency in each of the guiding principles set forth in department rules governing implementation of the system of learning results established pursuant to section 6209; and [2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD).]
D. [2015, c. 489, §2 (RP).]
E. Certify that the student has engaged in educational experiences relating to English language arts, mathematics and science and technology in each year of the student's secondary schooling. [2015, c. 489, §2 (NEW).]
[ 2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD) .]
2. Method of gaining and demonstrating proficiency. Students must be allowed to gain proficiency through multiple pathways, as described in section 4703, and must be allowed to demonstrate proficiency by presenting multiple types of evidence, including but not limited to teacher-designed or student-designed assessments, portfolios, performance, exhibitions, projects and community service.
[ 2013, c. 176, §2 (AMD) .]
3. Exceptions. Notwithstanding subsection 1, a student may be awarded a diploma indicating graduation from a secondary school in the following circumstances.
A. A student who is a child with a disability, as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B, may meet the requirements of subsection 1 and become eligible for a diploma by demonstrating proficiency in state standards established in the system of learning results through performance tasks and accommodations that maintain the integrity of the standards as specified in the student’s individualized education program by the student’s individualized education program team pursuant to the requirements of chapter 301. [2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD).]
B. A student who has satisfactorily completed the freshman year in an accredited degree-granting institution of higher education is eligible to receive a high school diploma from the secondary school the student last attended. [2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD).]
B-1. [2015, c. 489, §2 (RP).]
B-2. For the graduating class of 2020-2021 and each subsequent graduating class, a student who has satisfactorily completed a state-approved career and technical education program of study and either met 3rd-party-verified national or state industry standards set forth in department rules established pursuant to section 8306-B or earned 6 credits in a dual enrollment career and technical education program formed pursuant to chapter 229 from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and who has successfully demonstrated proficiency in meeting state standards in the content areas and the guiding principles set forth in department rules governing implementation of the system of learning results established pursuant to section 6209, is eligible to receive a high school diploma from the secondary school the student last attended. A student may be awarded a high school diploma from the secondary school the student last attended in accordance with the phase-in of the following diploma requirements for the graduating class of 2020-2021 to the graduating class of 2023-2024:
(1) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2020-2021, the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics and social studies;
(2) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2021-2022, the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, social studies and at least one additional content area of the student’s choosing;
(3) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2022-2023, the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, social studies and at least 2 additional content areas of the student’s choosing; and
(4) For a student graduating in the graduating class of 2023-2024 and in each subsequent graduating class, the student has demonstrated proficiency in meeting the state standards in the content areas of English language arts, mathematics, social studies and at least 3 additional content areas of the student’s choosing.
For the purposes of this paragraph, "content areas" refers to the content areas of the system of learning results established under section 6209.[2015, c. 489, §2 (NEW).]
C. [2013, c. 439, §4 (RP).]
D. A school administrative unit may award a high school diploma to a student who has met the standards set forth in a waiver request that was approved by the commissioner pursuant to section 4502, subsection 8. [2011, c. 669, §7 (NEW).]
E. A person may be awarded a high school diploma, including a posthumous award, if the person or a family member of the person applies to a secondary school and:
(1) The person:
(a) Attended a secondary school in the geographic area now served by the secondary school from which a diploma is requested; or
(b) Resides at the time of application for a diploma in the geographic area served by the secondary school from which a diploma is requested;
(2) The person did not graduate or receive a diploma from a secondary school because the person left secondary school to serve in the Armed Forces and served during the following periods:
(a) World War II, from December 7, 1941 to August 16, 1945;
(b) The Korean Conflict;
(c) The Vietnam War era, from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975; or
(d) The period of wartime or peacetime after a period of wartime described in division (a), (b) or (c); and
(3) The person received an honorable discharge or a certificate of honorable service from the Armed Forces.
For the purposes of this paragraph, "Armed Forces" means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and the merchant marine. [2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD).]
[ 2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD) .]
4. Grants; contingent extension of full implementation.
[ 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §7 (RP) .]
5. Transcripts and certification of content area proficiency. In addition to maintaining a high school transcript for each student, a school administrative unit shall certify each student's content area proficiency and may award a certificate of content area proficiency to a student for each content area in the system of learning results established under section 6209 in which the student has demonstrated proficiency. Certification of content area proficiency must be included with the student's permanent academic transcript, and a student may use certification of content area proficiency as an official credential of academic achievement for the purposes of employment and postsecondary education. When a school administrative unit certifies content area proficiency, it shall report these certifications of content area proficiency to the department, and the department shall collect and aggregate these data as evidence of progress towards high school graduation goals.
(Subsection 5 as enacted by PL 2015, c. 367, §1 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 20-A, SECTION 4722-A, SUBSECTION 6)
[ 2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD) .]
6. (REALLOCATED FROM T. 20-A, §4722-A, sub-§5) Implementation of proficiency-based diplomas and transcripts. Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, the department shall annually collect and report data on the progress of public schools and public charter schools towards the implementation of proficiency-based diplomas and transcripts in relation to the ongoing transition plan required pursuant to section 4502, subsection 1, including the number of students graduating with proficiency-based diplomas, the number of students concluding their high school careers proficient in each of the content areas of the system of learning results established under section 6209 and in each of the guiding principles set forth in department rules governing implementation of the system of learning results established pursuant to section 6209 and the number of students certified as ready for college and careers. By January 15, 2017, and annually thereafter, the department shall provide an annual report of the data collected for the prior school year to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters, and the department shall post the annual report on its publicly accessible website.
[ 2015, c. 489, §2 (AMD) .]
7. Rulemaking. The commissioner shall develop rules to accomplish the purposes of this section. Rules adopted by the commissioner under this section must:
A. Allow local flexibility and innovation in developing consistent graduation standards, enable school administrative units to continue current progress aligned with the phase-in of the standards and proficiency requirements in subsection 1, paragraph B-1 and subsection 3, paragraph B-2 and describe standard criteria for ensuring equal educational opportunities for students; [2015, c. 489, §2 (NEW).]
B. Allow the commissioner to identify the manner in which the opportunities for learning in multiple pathways of career and technical education programs may be used to satisfy certain components of the system of learning results established under section 6209; and [2015, c. 489, §2(NEW).]
C. Address the appropriate placement of students in career and technical education programs while ensuring that all students be exposed to all the content areas of the system of learning results established under section 6209 through the 10th year of their studies. [2015, c. 489, §2 (NEW).]
Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.
§6209. System of learning results established
The department in consultation with the state board shall establish and implement a comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, which may include a core of standards in English language arts and mathematics for kindergarten to grade 12 established in common with the other states, as set forth in this section and in department rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The department must establish accountability standards at all grade levels in the areas of mathematics; reading; and science and technology. The department shall establish parameters for essential instruction in English language arts; mathematics; science and technology; social studies; career and education development; visual and performing arts; health, physical education and wellness; and world languages. Only a public school, a public charter school as defined in section 2401, subsection 9 or a private school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students, as determined by the previous school year's October and April average enrollment, is required to participate in the system of learning results set forth in this section and in department rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The commissioner shall develop accommodation provisions for instances where course content conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices of a student's parent or guardian. The system must be adapted to accommodate children with disabilities as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B. [2015, c. 489, §3 (AMD).]
1. Guiding principles.
[ 2007, c. 259, §5 (RP) .]
1-A. Accountability standards. Each student must be assessed by means of a statewide assessment in the following areas:
A. Reading; [2007, c. 259, §5 (NEW).]
B. Mathematics; and [2007, c. 259, §5 (NEW).]
C. Science, in those content areas concerning cells and continuity and change. [2007, c. 259, §5 (NEW).]
[ 2007, c. 259, §5 (NEW) .]
2. Parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements. Each school subject to the provisions of this section shall ensure sufficient opportunity and capacity through multiple pathways for all students to study and achieve proficiency in the areas of:
A. Career and education development; [2007, c. 259, §5 (AMD).]
B. English language arts; [1995, c. 649, §1 (NEW).]
C. World languages; [2007, c. 259, §5 (AMD).]
D. Health, physical education and wellness; [2007, c. 259, §5 (AMD).]
E. Mathematics; [1995, c. 649, §1 (NEW).]
F. Science and technology; [1995, c. 649, §1 (NEW).]
G. Social studies; and [1995, c. 649, §1 (NEW).]
H. Visual and performing arts. [1995, c. 649, §1 (NEW).]
[ 2015, c. 489, §4 (AMD) .]
3. Career and education development; world languages; visual and performing arts. By the end of the 2007-2008 school year, each local school administrative unit shall implement standards in the areas of career and education development, world languages and visual and performing arts. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commissioner is authorized to establish rules for inclusion of some portion of the standards in visual and performing arts for the graduating class of 2011-2012.
[ 2007, c. 259, §5 (AMD) .]
3-A. Transcripts. A school subject to this section shall:
A. Maintain student transcripts containing certification of proficiency for each content area and guiding principle in the system of learning results pursuant to this section in which the student has demonstrated proficiency; [2015, c. 489, §5 (NEW).]
B. Certify on the basis of objective measures in the transcript a student's postsecondary readiness; and [2015, c. 489, §5 (NEW).]
C. Establish a transcript that meets the requirements of paragraphs A and B as an officially sanctioned credential of student learning for admission to a postsecondary education institution and employment in a business, trade or industry. [2015, c. 489, §5 (NEW).]
[ 2015, c. 489, §5 (NEW) .]
4. Review cycle. The commissioner shall conduct a review of the content standards and performance indicators by content area on a 5-year cycle beginning in the 2015-2016 school year. The review of the content standards and performance indicators for the content area of social studies, including student achievement of proficiency in personal finance, must be included in the commissioner's review during the 2015-2016 school year. Any changes that are recommended must be approved through the same process used for establishment of the system of learning results. Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, the commissioner shall review and make recommendations for objective measures that may be used to substantiate school certifications of postsecondary readiness.
[ 2015, c. 489, §6 (AMD) .]
§4802. Holidays
The following provisions shall apply to school holidays. [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
1. Unconditional holidays. Public schools shall close on the following days:
A. Patriot's Day, the 3rd Monday in April; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
B. Memorial Day, last Monday in May or May 30th if the Federal Government designates that date; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
C. Independence Day, July 4th; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
D. Labor Day, the first Monday in September; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
E. Columbus Day,the 2nd Monday in October; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
F. Veteran's Day, November 11th; [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
G. Thanksgiving Day, as designated by the Governor; [1985, c. 787, §4 (AMD).]
H. Christmas Day, December 25th; and [1985, c. 787, §5 (AMD).]
I. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the 3rd Monday in January. [1985, c. 787, §6 (NEW).]
[ 1985, c. 787, §4-6 (AMD) .]
2. Conditional holidays. Public schools shall close on the following days unless the school board votes to keep its schools open and observe the day with special exercises as defined in section 4803:
A. New Years Day, January 1st; and [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
B. Washington's Birthday, the 3rd Monday in February. [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
§4711. Elementary course of study
The basic course of study for the elementary schools must provide for the instruction of all students in career and education development, English language arts, world languages, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies and visual and performing arts, as described in the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements subject to the schedule specified in section 6209. [2009, c. 313, §11(AMD).]
§4712. Junior high school or middle school course of study
The basic course of study for the junior high schools or middle schools must provide for the instruction of all students in career and education development, English language arts, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, visual and performing arts and world languages, as described in the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements subject to the schedule specified in section 6209.[2009, c. 313, §12 (NEW).]
§4721. General requirement
1. Comprehensive program of instruction. A secondary school shall provide a comprehensive program of instruction of at least 2 years in length, which must meet the requirements of this chapter and the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209. The program must include instruction for all students in career and education development, English language arts, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, visual and performing arts and world languages.
[ 2009, c. 313, §13 (NEW) .]
2. Secondary school organization and delivery of instruction. A secondary school shall provide a structure that allows for student achievement of the parameters for essential instruction and graduation requirements established under section 6209 in multiple pathways as set out under section 4703.
[ 2009, c. 313, §13 (NEW) .]