Resolve, To Address Multicultural Education Needs of Maine Teachers
Maine Legislature, Session 121, LD 0699
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: McKEE, ROTUNDO, CRAVEN, EDER, FINCH, GAGNE-FRIEL, LA VERRIERE-BOUCHER, O'BRIEN, SULLIV AN

Legislative Document 
No. 699 
H.P.516 
House of Representatives, February 14,2003 
Resolve, To Address Multicultural Education Needs of Maine 
Teachers 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative McKEE of Wayne. 
Cosponsored by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin and 
/Jf~1J?~~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: CRAVEN of Lewiston, EDER of Portland, FINCH of Fairfield, GAGNE-
FRIEL of Buckfield, LA VERRIERE-BOUCHER of Biddeford, O'BRIEN of Lewiston, 
SULLIV AN of Biddeford. 
Printed on recycled paper 
Whereas, the State has both long-standing diverse cultural 
groups 
such 
as 
Native 
Americans, 
Franco-Americans, 
African 
Americans, 
Asians 
and 
Latinos 
and 
significantly 
increasing 
numbers of immigrants from allover the world; and 
Whereas, 
the 
multicultural 
communities 
of 
Maine 
are 
expanding rapidly beyond the Portland area and resettlement of 
immigrants is beginning to occur throughout the State; and 
Whereas, understanding and awareness of cultural differences 
are crucial to a harmonious society, with schools functioning as 
the primary vehicle of multicultural education; and 
Whereas, 
education 
environment 
that 
values 
that 
is 
cultural 
multicultural 
diversity 
and 
provides 
portrays 
an 
it 
positively; and 
Whereas, 
educators 
have 
the 
responsibility 
under 
the 
statewide system of learning results to help students recognize 
and understand the diverse nature of society as responsible and 
involved citizens; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Commission 
to Assess the Multicultural Education Needs of Maine Teachers, 
referred to in this resolve as "the commission," is established; 
and be it further 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: 
That the commission 
consists of 11 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives as follows: 
1. 
One 
member 
from 
the 
Joint 
Standing 
Committee 
on 
Education and Cultural Affairs; 
2. 
One representative of the Department of Education with 
specific 
expertise, 
knowledge, 
background 
and 
oversight 
of 
Maine's multicultural communities or minorities and their needs; 
3. 
One curriculum coordinator with specific experience in a 
school or school district with high multicultural enrollment or 
one kindergarten to grade 12 teacher with experience and interest 
in multicultural education; 
4. 
One representative from each of the following groups: 
Passamaquoddy Tribe; Penobscot Indian Nation; Franco-Americans; 
and African Americans, or 4 representatives from African, Latino, 
Asian and Native American groups, ALANA; 
Page l-LR1365(l) 
5. 
One representative 
with specific background 
in 
kindergarten to grade 12; 
of the University 
the preparation 
of 
of 
Maine System 
teachers 
for 
6. 
One teacher of English as a 2nd language, ESL. with at 
least 5 years' experience in a Maine multicultural classroom; 
7. 
One member of the State Board of Education; and 
8. 
One 
at-large 
member 
with 
demonstrated 
knowledge, 
experience and interest in multicultural education; 
and be it 
further 
Sec. 3. Chair. Resolved: 
That the chair must be elected by 
the full commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved: 
That 
all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the 
effective date of this resolve. 
The appointing authority shall 
notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council upon 
making appointments. 
When 
the appointment of all members is 
complete, 
the appointing authority shall call and convene the 
first meeting of the commission no later than November 1, 2003; 
and be it further 
Sec. 5. Duties. Resolved: 
That the commission shall study the 
problems Maine teachers face or will face in culturally diverse 
schools 
and 
classrooms. 
The 
commission shall determine what 
needs to be done to prepare teachers to be effective both in 
providing an appropriate educational program for multicultural 
classrooms 
and 
in 
helping 
all 
students 
to 
recognize 
and 
understand the diverse nature of society. 
In conducting this 
study, the commission shall: 
1. 
Request the assistance of the Department of Education. 
the 
State 
Board 
of 
Education 
and 
ALANA 
and 
invite 
the 
participation of other experts and interested parties; 
2. 
Conduct a survey of Maine teachers to determine current 
levels 
of 
completed 
multicultural 
education; 
success 
in 
multicultural classrooms; problems encountered in multicultural 
classrooms; 
knowledge of effective strategies in multicultural 
education; 
resources 
available 
to 
teachers 
in 
multicultural 
classrooms; skills needed for success in multicultural education; 
and anecdotal evidence of needs and prior knowledge of dominant 
Maine minority cultures, including, but not limited to. Native 
Americans, 
Franco-Americans, 
African 
Americans, 
Asians 
and 
Latinos; and 
3. 
further 
Evaluate the survey and analyze its findings; and be it 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: 
That, upon approval of the 
Legislative Council, 
the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis 
shall provide necessary staffing services to the commission; and 
be it further 
Sec. 7. Compensation. Resolved: 
That the legislative members 
of the commission are entitled to the legislative per diem, as 
def ined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and 
reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to 
their attendance at meetings of the commission. 
Public members 
not otherwise compensated by their employers or other entities 
that they represent are entitled to receive 
reimbursement of 
necessary expenses for their attendance at authorized meetings of 
the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Report. Resolved: 
That the commission shall submi t 
a 
report and any necessary implementing legislation to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by February 
15, 2004. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural 
Affairs may submit legislation in the Second Regular Session of 
the 121st Legislature to implement the recommendations of the 
commission. 
Sec. 9. Extension. Resolved: 
That, if the commission requires 
a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its 
report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant 
an extension; and be it further. 
Sec. 10. Commission budget. Resolved: 
That the chair of the 
commission, 
with assistance 
from 
the 
commission staff, 
shall 
administer the commission' s 
budget. 
Wi thin 10 days after its 
first meeting, 
the 
commission shall present 
a 
work 
plan and 
proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. 
The 
commission 
may 
not 
incur 
expenses 
that would 
result in the 
commission's exceeding its approved budget. 
Upon reques t 
from 
the commission, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council 
shall promptly provide the commission chair and staft with a 
status report on the study budget, expenditures incurred and paid 
and available funds. 
SUMMARY 
This 
resolve creates 
a 
special 
commission 
to 
study 
multicultural 
needs 
of 
Maine 
teachers 
to 
ensure 
multicultural 
awareness 
and 
understanding 
is 
brought 
to 
attention of all students. 
the 
that 
the