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K-12 areas of instruction required by statute in Maine

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See also: K-12 education content standards in the states

This page features information about K-12 areas of instruction required by state statute in Maine public schools.

Background

See also: K-12 education content standards in the states and K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes in the states

State education officials may develop content standards and curricula, depending on the state, in order to facilitate instruction in public schools. In some states, lawmakers also adopt required areas of instruction by statute.

K-12 content standards and curriculum development

State or local education officials may develop K-12 curricula for classroom instruction that generally includes lessons and materials used in a particular course of study.[1] Depending on the state, K-12 curricula may reflect or incorporate state content standards—educational learning and achievement goals that state education officials either require or recommend that local schools satisfy in K-12 instruction.

Areas of instruction required by statute

Some state laws require the inclusion of specific areas of instruction in K-12 public school curricula. In these cases, lawmakers—rather than state education officials—mandate certain education requirements for students. Laws governing specific areas of instruction in K-12 curricula vary by state.

Statutorily required areas of instruction in Maine

The following table provides information about selected areas of instruction required by statute in Maine, as of 2023. The statutes provided may not be comprehensive. The statutory text is provided below the table.

Statutorily required areas of instruction in Maine
Area(s) of instruction Statute(s)
American history, Maine studies, and Maine Native American history 20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4706 (2022)
Instruction in American history, African American studies, Maine studies, Maine Native American history, and the history of genocide 20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4706 (2022)
Elementary courses of study; including life and career readiness, English language arts, world languages, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and visual and performing arts 20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4711 (2022)
Junior high school or middle school course of study; including life and career readiness, English language arts, health education and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, visual and performing arts, and world languages 20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4712 (2022)


20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4706 (2022):

“ Instruction in American history, Maine studies and Maine Native American history


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.

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;
B. Maine Native American cultural systems and the experience of Maine tribal people throughout history;
C. Maine Native American territories; and
D. Maine Native American economic systems.[2]
 ”

20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4706 (2022):

“ Instruction in American history, African American studies, Maine studies, Maine Native American history and the history of genocide


3. History of genocide. The history of genocide, including the Holocaust, must be included in the review of content standards and performance indicators of the system of learning results conducted in accordance with section 6209, subsection 4.[2]

”

20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4711 (2022):

“ Elementary course of study


The basic course of study for the elementary schools must provide for the instruction of all students in life and career readiness, 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. Health education must include instruction that addresses the relationship between physical and mental health in order to enhance student understanding of attitudes toward and behavior relating to mental illness and to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.[2]

”

20-A Maine Revised Statutes § 4712 (2022):

“ 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 life and career readiness, 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. Health education must include instruction that addresses the relationship between physical and mental health in order to enhance student understanding of attitudes toward and behavior relating to mental illness and to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.[2]

”

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Glossary of Education Reform, "Curriculum," accessed July 26, 2022
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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