Department of Education

Social Studies Standards Review-Overview

An Overview of the Maine Social Studies Standards Review

Public Comments

Video Sessions:

Public Comment Submitted (PDFs) to Maine DOE:

Conners, John
Maine Curriculum Leaders Association
Marshwood Middle School Social Studies Department
Greene, Chad
Cheever, David
Clark, Kelly
Griffith, Susan
Dugovic, Susan
Kane, Paula W. Roy
Nokes, Eileen
Hargrove, Jesse
Oullette, Cassandra
Larson, Andres
Cooper, Amanda
Graffam, Holly
Flynn, Bernie
Olsen, Donna
Ghiglieri, Nate
Doughty, Karen
Thibodeau, Bobbie

Standards Review Process

Each year the Standards and Instructional Support Team will begin a review and revision of 2 content area standards in the Maine Learning Results. Below is a general idea of the review process.

Step 1 (Fall 2017):

Commissioner gives approval to begin standards review process

Step 2 (Fall 2017):

Public comment period and hearings on current content standards

Step 3 (Winter 2017-18):

A Steering Committee of content area experts who represent the cultural diversity found in Maine and a range of viewpoints as to the content of the standards is formed and tasked to:

review all comments submitted during the initial public comment period;
develop a blueprint for the revision of the state standards in their assigned content area;
address and advise the writing committees when deadlocks occur; and
determine when the writing teams have completed their work and the standards are ready to be moved on to the next step in the process.

Step 4 (Summer 2018):

Writing Team: Teams of pk-12 teachers who represent Maine’s cultural and geographical diversity are formed and broken into smaller groups, facilitated by the Maine DOE content specialist, to revise content standards based on guidance from the Steering Committee.

Step 5 (Summer 2018):

The Writing Teams submit draft of proposed changes to the Steering Committee.

Step 6 (Summer 2018):

The Steering Committee submits draft proposal to the Maine Department of Education.

Step 7 (Fall 2018):

Internal Maine DOE review of standards revision

Step 8 (Fall 2018):

The Maine DOE files the standards revision document as proposed rules with the Secretary of State.

Step 9 (Fall 2018):

Maine DOE will hold a public hearing followed by a public comment period on the proposed rules.

Step 10 (Winter 2018-19):

Maine DOE prepares and submits provisional adoption of standards revision to the Secretary of State and Legislative Council. The Legislature, once in session in January, will refer the rule as a legislative document to The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee where they will be given an LD Resolve to revise during session.

Step 11 (Winter 2018-19):

The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing and work session before sending the proposed rules on to the full legislature.

Step 12 (Spring 2019):

Final adoption of revised standards by the Maine State Legislature.

Step 13 (Spring 2019):

The Maine Department of Education will prepare the standards regulation for final adoption.