ME LD1202

Establishes a 13-member African American Studies Advisory Council with legislators, educators, university representatives, and civil rights organization members to support implementation of African American studies in Maine schools

Council duties include identifying curriculum materials and resources, making recommendations to the Department of Education, and establishing baseline measures of African American studies implementation across school districts

Appropriates $1,000,000 in one-time funds for fiscal year 2025-26 to support the council's work and provide grants to school administrative units for African American studies curriculum development

Creates one permanent Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist position ($99,491 in FY 2025-26, $131,846 in FY 2026-27) to provide technical assistance and outreach to schools on curriculum implementation

Requires the State Board of Education to study potential African American studies endorsements or requirements for teacher credentials, with a report due January 15, 2026, and mandates annual council reports to the Legislature beginning January 15, 2027