Z-733                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 3516

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State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senators Bauer, Gaspard, Benitz, Moore, Bender, Rinehart, Lee and Johnson; by Temporary Committee on Educational Policies request

Read first time 2/1/85 and referred to Committee on Education.

AN ACT Relating to instruction in foreign languages; adding a new section to chapter 28A.03 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.04 RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature recognizes that it is important for the students and future citizens of our state to develop an awareness and sensitivity to other cultures and have an opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language, particularly the cultures and languages of Pacific Rim countries and Latin American countries.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

          The superintendent of public instruction may grant funds to selected school districts to conduct foreign language programs in Japanese or Spanish, or both, in grades one through six.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.04 RCW to read as follows:

          The state board of education shall develop guidelines for the implementation of foreign language programs in Japanese or Spanish, or both, in any or all of grades one through six by September, 1985.  The board shall evaluate the effectiveness of foreign language programs at the elementary school level and report to the legislature in January of 1989 on the program and its effectiveness.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, from the general fund to the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect June 30, 1985.