Bill > LD1202

Introduced Session

This bill does the following. 1. It establishes the African American Studies Advisory Council to serve as a resource to educators, schools and the Department of Education to ensure the implementation of African American studies in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 4706. Appointments to the advisory council must be made within 30 days of the effective date of the legislation by the appointing authorities. The duties of the advisory council include: A. Assisting school administrative units and educators in the exploration of a wide range of educational materials and resources relating to African American studies; B. Identifying materials and resources for implementing African American studies; C. Making recommendations to the Department of Education regarding African American studies curricula, revisions to the system of learning results, funding and opportunities for professional development, training and technical assistance; and D. Using data gathered pursuant to the representative statewide sampling conducted by the Department of Education of African American studies curricula in school administrative units to establish a baseline measure of the implementation of African American studies in school administrative units. The advisory council is directed to submit an annual report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters beginning January 15, 2027. 2. It directs the Department of Education to develop professional development opportunities for educators in African American studies. 3. It directs the State Board of Education to convene a stakeholder group to study the development of an endorsement in African American studies on an educator credential or the inclusion of a requirement for an African American studies course as a requirement for an educator credential in this State and report to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later than January 15, 2026. 4. It provides an appropriations and allocations section to: A. Establish in the Department of Education a content specialist position in African American studies and to provide outreach to school administrative units with support and technical assistance in curriculum development and implementation of African American studies; and B. Provide $1,000,000 in one-time, nonlapsing funds in fiscal year 2025-26 to the Department of Education to support the work of the African American Studies Advisory Council and administer and provide grants to school administrative units to expand or implement African American studies curricula.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Rachel Talbot Ross (D)*,  Deqa Dhalac (D),  Craig Hickman (D),  Christina Mitchell (D),  Kelly Noonan Murphy (D),  Laurie Osher (D),  Teresa Pierce (D),  Joe Rafferty (D),  Holly Sargent (D),  Eleanor Sato (D), 

CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. (on 06/25/2025)

Official Document