An Act Regarding Instruction in Civics in Secondary Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0654
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: ORDWAY, DAVIS, ANDREWS, BRADSTREET, FAY, GRIGNON, NADEAU, SAMPSON, STEARNS, STETKIS
Amends: 20-A MRSA §4721, 20-A MRSA §6209

Legislative Document
No. 654
H.P. 475
House of Representatives, February 7, 2019
An Act Regarding Instruction in Civics in Secondary Schools
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ORDWAY of Standish.
Cosponsored by Senator DAVIS of Piscataquis and
Representatives: ANDREWS of Paris, BRADSTREET of Vassalboro, FAY of Raymond, 
GRIGNON of Athens, NADEAU of Winslow, SAMPSON of Alfred, STEARNS of Guilford, 
STETKIS of Canaan.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §4721, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 2009, c. 313, §13, is 
amended to read:
1.  Comprehensive program of instruction.  A secondary school shall provide a 
comprehensive program of instruction of at least 2 years in length, which must meet the 
requirements of this chapter and the parameters for essential instruction and graduation 
requirements established under section 6209.  The program must include instruction for 
all students in career and education development, English language arts, health education 
and physical education, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, visual and 
performing arts, civics and world languages.
Sec. 2.  20-A MRSA §6209, first ¶, as amended by PL 2015, c. 489, §3, is further 
amended to read:
The department in consultation with the state board shall establish and implement a 
comprehensive, statewide system of learning results, which may include a core of 
standards in English language arts and mathematics for kindergarten to grade 12 
established in common with the other states, as set forth in this section and in department 
rules implementing this section and other curricular requirements. The department must 
establish accountability standards at all grade levels in the areas of mathematics; reading; 
and science and technology. The department shall establish parameters for essential 
instruction in English language arts; mathematics; science and technology; social studies; 
career and education development; visual and performing arts; health, physical education 
and wellness; and world languages; and, for secondary schools subject to the provisions 
of this section, civics.  Only a public school, a public charter school as defined in section 
2401, subsection 9 or a private school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 
60% publicly funded students, as determined by the previous school year's October and 
April average enrollment, is required to participate in the system of learning results set 
forth in this section and in department rules implementing this section and other 
curricular requirements.  The commissioner shall develop accommodation provisions for 
instances where course content conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs and 
practices of a student's parent or guardian.  The system must be adapted to accommodate 
children with disabilities as defined in section 7001, subsection 1-B.
Sec. 3.  20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2, ¶¶G and H, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 649, 
§1, are amended to read:
G.  Social studies; and
H.  Visual and performing arts.; and
Sec. 4.  20-A MRSA §6209, sub-§2, ¶I is enacted to read:
I.  For secondary schools subject to the provisions of this section, civics.
SUMMARY
This bill clarifies that instruction in civics is part of the comprehensive program of 
instruction in secondary schools and also adds civics to the parameters for essential 
instruction and graduation requirements in the system of learning results.