ACLU finds ME schools falling short on Native American history
foxnews.comThe Maine Department of Education is not doing enough to enforce a decades-old law requiring students to be taught about Native American history, leading most schools to fall short, according to a study.
The study, released on Monday, which is Indigenous Peoples Day in Maine, concluded most school districts are failing to cover all required areas of Wabanaki studies. "Teaching Wabanaki Studies is not optional.
It is required by law," Michael Kebede, policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, said in a statement. The Wabanaki Alliance, Abbe Museum and the ACLU of Maine used the state's open records law to survey 10 districts and the state education department on their compliance with the law.The Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission also joined in the report.
The 21-year-old state law requires schools to teach Wabanaki history, economic and political systems, and culture.The Wabanaki are comprised of the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy tribes at Indian Township and Pleasant Point, Houlton Band of Maliseets, and Mi’kmaq.
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