Eesha Pendharkar and Emma Davis
Maine Morning Star
Initiatives to ensure the already required teaching of Wabanaki and African American studies in Maine schools passed both chambers of the Legislature this week, in an effort to bolster learning that proponents say would benefit all students in the state.
But nothing is certain to become law until the end-of-session scuffles, the downfall of a similar effort last year, play out.
These two bills — LD 1202 to create an African American Studies Advisory Council and LD 1474 to permanently establish a Wabanaki studies specialist in the Maine Department of Education — have passed both the House of Representatives and Senate.
On Tuesday, the House narrowly passed LD 1474 with a 75-72 vote after floor debate where some lawmakers argued that the bill dedicates resources the state cannot spare to already required instruction. Maine has required Wabanaki and African American studies to be taught in schools since 2001 and 2021, respectively.
“There is no question that the history and contributions of the Wabanaki people deserve to be taught and understood by Maine students,” said Rep. Sheila Lyman (R-Livermore Falls), a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. “We can honor Wabanaki heritage and ensure it remains part of student learning without expanding bureaucracy, without increasing costs or putting up new obstacles to entering the teaching profession.”
The bill would authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules to require a Wabanaki studies component for teacher certification and requires the board to evaluate whether to adopt such a rule no later than July 1, 2026.
During the public hearing for the bill, those testifying in support brought up the 2022 report from the Abbe Museum, ACLU of Maine, Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission and Wabanaki Alliance that found school districts have failed to consistently and appropriately include Wabanaki studies in their curricula.
Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono), who sponsored the legislation, said on the House floor Tuesday, “Maine students have continued to graduate with little or no education about the Wabanaki nations, to the detriment of all our students.”
After similar discussion in the House Tuesday on the merits of LD 1202, the chamber voted 74-69 in support of that bill. Lyman again said that she was concerned about the cost.
Both bills have fiscal notes: LD 1202 at $165,000 per year, plus additional expenses for legislators serving on the council, and LD 1472 at $322,286 per year.
This means the bills are expected to be placed on the appropriations table to vie for remaining unappropriated money once the budget is set, or the budget committee could consider adding the funding to the budget it is still deliberating.
Last year, a proposal that combined both areas of study ultimately died without final action, despite being passed by both chambers and getting funded off the table. Because the budget committee amended that bill to reduce its cost, it still needed final approval from both chambers of the Legislature. While the Senate gave the go ahead, the House never took it up, leaving the plan unresolved when the Legislature finally adjourned last session.
How lawmakers handle these remaining steps for LD 1202 and LD 1472 this session remain to be seen.