Talk about not doing your homework! Steve Woods argues strenuously for legislation to require six hours of civics instruction to graduating seniors in Maine (“Maine Voices: Schools need civics courses to get young voters involved,” April 29). Such legislation is already on the books.

Two years of social studies and history, including American history and government, have been taught and required in Maine high schools for decades.

In 2011, Gov. LePage signed into law a bill sponsored by Rep. Mary Nelson of Falmouth to add civics to the list of courses required in order to receive a high school diploma. (20-A MRSA Section 4722.2.B)

Even earlier, in 2009, a law was enacted requiring instruction in “American history, government and citizenship, including the Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the importance of voting and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship … .” (20-A MRSA Section 4706.1)

Why vote for someone who proposes to waste time introducing legislation that already exists? Since I passed my civics course in high school, I won’t.

Allen Evans

Falmouth

 


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