1398-S

AN ACT Relating to literacy in mathematics, science, and technology; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds:

(a) Mathematics, science, and technology subtly but profoundly impact the lives of Washington state residents. In the coming years mathematics, science, and technology will become socially pervasive and important with growing concerns about health, environmental protection, conservation, energy supply, and industrial growth;

(b) There is consensus that the most likely leading industries in the twenty‑first century will be in microelectronics, biotechnology, new materials industries, civilian aviation, telecommunications, robotics, and computer-related technologies. This means that literacy in mathematics, science, and technology will become increasingly important to the economic future of Washington state; and

(c) National education goal number four establishes that by the year 2000, United States students will be first in the world in science and mathematics achievement.

(2) The legislature recognizes that change is not optional and believes that only if literacy in mathematics, science, and technology is expanded to include all segments of the population can Washington state build upon existing public and private sector resources to take full advantage of the projected leading industries for the twenty‑first century and achieve national education goal number four.

(3) Broad public literacy in mathematics, science, and technology will be necessary to sustain from one generation to the next a dynamic future for the citizens of Washington. However, certain obstacles must be addressed to realize this goal:

(a) Widespread public discomfort with mathematics, science, and technology;

(b) Prevailing public ignorance of the importance of mathematics, science, and technology throughout our lives; and

(c) Broad public resistance to recognizing the legitimacy of mathematics, science, and technology in contributing toward solving societal issues.

(4) It is the intent of the legislature to develop a long‑range, comprehensive mathematics, science, and technology literacy program that reaches into all segments of society and supports a vision in which Washington state is a place where all citizens demonstrate, value, and support literacy in mathematics, science, and technology.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The higher education coordinating board shall contract with an appropriate person or entity to conduct a study that includes, but is not limited to:

(a) An analysis of the benefits and disadvantages to the state of achieving or not achieving broad social literacy in mathematics, science, and technology; and

(b) A review of existing or anticipated efforts in Washington state pertaining to enhancing the quality of mathematics, science, and technology instruction in the common schools or higher education institutions of the state, or increasing the level of broad public literacy in mathematics, science, and technology in the state.

(2) The study shall include an analysis of the feasibility and desirability of creating a Washington state institute for science and society that:

(a) Would promote broad‑based awareness and understanding of the importance of mathematics, science, and technology in our lives and support the implementation of a long‑range, comprehensive mathematics, science, and technology literacy program;

(b) Could coordinate collaboration and communication between existing and anticipated efforts in the state to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, and technology instruction and elevate the level of mathematics, science, and technology literacy; and

(c) Could play a vital role in sustaining systemic change in the delivery of mathematics, science, and technology education and sustaining public literacy in mathematics, science, and technology.

(3) The analysis under subsection (2) of this section shall include:

(a) An assessment of whether a state institute for science and society is an appropriate means toward building and sustaining a social culture of awareness, appreciation, understanding, and support for mathematics, science, and technology education and literacy;

(b) An assessment of the kind of mission and focus that would guide a state institute for science and society, including groups for priority attention and appropriate programs, services, and activities;

(d) Options for funding a state institute for science and society.

(4) The person or entity conducting the study shall report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the legislature and the governor not later than December 1, 1994.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The higher education coordinating board is authorized to receive and expend any private gifts or grants to conduct the study in section 2 of this act. Funds shall be expended in accordance with the conditions contingent in the gift or grant of those funds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The sum of . . . . . . . . dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, from the state general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the purposes of this act.