AN ACT Relating to personal development and self-esteem; reenacting and amending RCW 28A.04.120; adding a new section to chapter 28A.03 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.71 RCW; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) Self-esteem may be the most important single factor contributing to success in the lives of individuals. It is a developed sense of one's inherent worth as a person and is perhaps the key factor relating to the growth and development of healthy, responsible individuals.

(b) The future and vitality of economic development and prosperity in the state is fundamentally an issue of human resources, supporting the development of individuals' abilities. Research and practice are increasingly showing that most individual behavior is largely motivated by self-perception. Increased self-esteem tends to enable persons to become and feel more confident, creative, productive, and successful which in turn contributes toward a more healthy, safe, productive, and economically sound society.

(c) Low self-esteem, including lack of self-confidence and perhaps a personal conviction that "one does not have what it takes" are attitudinal impediments to individuals achieving their full potential, performing up to personal capabilities and expectations, and getting along well with others.

(d) A body of research is emerging which documents the causal relationship between low self-esteem and social problems, the cost of which is reflected in the various social problems representing the misuse and waste of human and fiscal resources. Examples of such social problems include but are not limited to:

(i) Failure to learn and the resultant widespread dropout problems and students otherwise performing below their ability levels;

(ii) Teenage pregnancies;

(iii) Alcohol and drug use and abuse which affect families and employers in terms of medical costs, lost productivity, damaged personal relationships, and which impact state and local expenditures for law enforcement and public safety, the judicial system, and correctional facilities;

(iv) Chronic criminal behavior, recidivism, and violence including spousal and child abuse; and

(v) Ongoing dependence on public assistance programs.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature to support the improvement of the state's social environment by: (a) Promoting improvements of institutionalized social processes and systems, such as the public education, judicial, and prison systems, so that such systems and processes operate and function in ways that enhance self-esteem; and (b) promoting efforts designed to provide students, parents, educational personnel, and other individuals and groups with information to assist individuals to realize academic and other achievements reflective of their innate potential, as well as to help individuals develop and maintain positive human relations skills.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The governor is directed to establish a temporary task force to promote self-esteem and personal and social responsibility. The task force shall be comprised of twenty-five members, broadly representative of the general public of the state of Washington, including ethnic minorities, women, and persons from varying economic levels, all of whom have demonstrated either abilities, vision, or experience in the enhancement of self-esteem, personal and social responsibility, and good citizenship.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The membership of the task force shall include: The superintendent of public instruction; a member of the state board of education other than the superintendent; the secretary of social and health services; the secretary of corrections; the commissioner of employment security; four legislators, one from each caucus of the house of representatives and the senate; and sixteen persons appointed by the governor.

(2) The governor is encouraged to appoint at least one person from each of the following areas:

(a) Education (K-12);

(b) Higher education teacher preparation programs;

(d) Organizational development;

(e) Law enforcement;

(f) Corrections;

(g) Law;

(h) Social science;

(i) Mental health;

(j) Media;

(k) Religion; and

(l) Community-based service organizations.

(3) The governor is also encouraged to appoint persons who represent ex-convicts, victims of violent crime, students, and recipients of aid under the aid to families with dependent children program.

(4) Task force members who are not legislators shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Legislators who are members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.

(5) The governor shall call the first meeting of the task force within forty-five days of the effective date of this section. At the initial meeting of the task force, members shall select from among the nonlegislative members, a member to serve as chairperson and a member to serve as vice-chairperson.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The task force shall have the following responsibilities:

(a) To promote public and personal awareness and understanding of the knowledge, policies, and programs which are most likely to be effective in the building of healthy self-esteem to improve students' school performance and as a way of preventing social problems by promoting personal and social responsibility.

(b) To compile a listing of available research on the relationship between healthy self-esteem, personal and social responsibility, and the following social problems:

(i) Children failing to learn in school;

(ii) Teenage pregnancy;

(iii) Alcohol and drug use and abuse;

(iv) Crime and violence; and

(v) Welfare dependency.

(c) Compile available research and information from the experience of existing programs regarding how healthy self-esteem is nurtured and developed and harmed and rehabilitated.

(d) Conduct a survey to identify model programs in Washington state and model programs or legislation, or both, in other states, including California, which address the development of healthy self-esteem and personal and social responsibility and compile a list of such programs and legislation.

(2) The task force shall consider how healthy self-esteem relates to:

(a) Prenatal care and birthing;

(b) Infant and child care;

(d) Education at the K-12 level;

(e) Physical development and emotional and mental development;

(f) Hunger and poverty;

(g) Family violence;

(h) Prejudice and discrimination;

(i) Justice and penal systems;

(j) Social service systems;

(k) Dependency-creating government programs;

(l) Media and advertising; and

(m) Institutionalized religion.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The task force to promote self-esteem and personal and social responsibility shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor and the legislature on or before July 1, 1989. The task force shall write the report in everyday terms understandable to lay persons and is encouraged to include in the report:

(a) Recommendations which address the immediate and long-term possible impacts of each area of study.

(b) Proposals leading to voluntary, more responsible personal actions rather than actions mandated by the government, and perhaps suggestions for possible legislation, agency rules, and funding for the establishment, replication, and expansion of proven programs, and other matters of state policy and administration.

(c) Ways in which nongovernmental institutions, including family and social and religious organizations can be more effectively enlisted in the development of healthy self-esteem and of environments more conducive to the exercise of personal and social responsibility.

(d) Suggest ways to promote public and personal awareness and understanding of the knowledge, policies, and programs which are most likely to be effective in the building of healthy self-esteem to both improve students' school performance and as a way of preventing costly social problems.

(2) The task force to promote self-esteem and personal and social responsibility shall terminate on July 1, 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 28A.03 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Further academic research on the relationship of self-esteem to school performance and to personal and social responsibility is crucial. To complement the work of the task force to promote self-esteem and personal and social responsibility, the state's public and private institutions of higher education and the Washington state institute for public policy are encouraged to support or undertake research on issues concerning the relationship between self-esteem and student achievement and individuals' social behavior and research on how social systems, institutions, and processes can be strengthened to enhance individuals' self-esteem.

(2) Kindergarten through twelfth grade and higher education personnel are encouraged to apply for funds under RCW 28A.67.115 to support projects demonstrating the relationship between improved self-esteem and student performance.

Sec. 7. Section 28A.04.120, chapter 223, Laws of 1969 ex. sess. as last amended by section 3, chapter 149, Laws of 1986 and by section 86, chapter 266, Laws of 1986 and RCW 28A.04.120 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

In addition to any other powers and duties as provided by law, the state board of education shall:

(1) Approve the program of courses leading to teacher, school administrator, and school specialized personnel certification offered by all institutions of higher education within the state which may be accredited and whose graduates may become entitled to receive such certification. In approving teacher preparation programs, the state board shall assure that the programs provide instruction to teacher candidates in how to create educational environments which contribute to the self-esteem of all persons and to positive human relationships, including the relationship between student learning styles and teaching methods and the influence of that relationship upon both student and teacher self-esteem.

(2) Investigate the character of the work required to be performed as a condition of entrance to and graduation from any institution of higher education in this state relative to such certification as provided for in subsection (1) above, and prepare a list of accredited institutions of higher education of this and other states whose graduates may be awarded such certificates.

(3) Supervise the issuance of such certificates as provided for in subsection (1) above and specify the types and kinds of certificates necessary for the several departments of the common schools by rule or regulation in accordance with RCW 28A.70.005.

(4) Accredit, subject to such accreditation standards and procedures as may be established by the state board of education, all schools that apply for accreditation, and approve, subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.02.201, private schools carrying out a program for any or all of the grades one through twelve: PROVIDED, That no public or private schools shall be placed upon the list of accredited schools so long as secret societies are knowingly allowed to exist among its students by school officials: PROVIDED FURTHER, That the state board may elect to require all or certain classifications of the public schools to conduct and participate in such pre-accreditation examination and evaluation processes as may now or hereafter be established by the board.

(5) Make rules and regulations governing the establishment in any existing nonhigh school district of any secondary program or any new grades in grades nine through twelve. Before any such program or any new grades are established the district must obtain prior approval of the state board.

(6) Prepare such outline of study for the common schools as the board shall deem necessary, and prescribe such rules for the general government of the common schools, as shall seek to secure regularity of attendance, prevent truancy, secure efficiency, and promote the true interest of the common schools.

(7) Prepare with the assistance of the superintendent of public instruction a uniform series of questions, with the proper answers thereto for use in the correcting thereof, to be used in the examination of persons, as this code may direct, and prescribe rules and regulations for conducting any such examinations.

(8) Continuously reevaluate courses and adopt and enforce regulations within the common schools so as to meet the educational needs of students and articulate with the institutions of higher education and unify the work of the public school system.

(9) Carry out board powers and duties relating to the organization and reorganization of school districts under chapter 28A.57 RCW.

(10) By rule or regulation promulgated upon the advice of the director of community development, through the director of fire protection, provide for instruction of pupils in the public and private schools carrying out a K through 12 program, or any part thereof, so that in case of sudden emergency they shall be able to leave their particular school building in the shortest possible time or take such other steps as the particular emergency demands, and without confusion or panic; such rules and regulations shall be published and distributed to certificated personnel throughout the state whose duties shall include a familiarization therewith as well as the means of implementation thereof at their particular school.

(11) Hear and decide appeals as otherwise provided by law.

The state board of education is given the authority to promulgate information and rules dealing with the prevention of child abuse for purposes of curriculum use in the common schools.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 28A.71 RCW to read as follows:

Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of the state board of education's continuing education requirements and in-service training opportunities and review or become familiar with available research on the innate capacities of the brain, including how to promote the more effective use of inherent brain power, student learning styles, instructional strategies, and ways in which both the self-esteem of students and school personnel can be increased.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The sum of .......... dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, to the office of the governor to carry out the purposes of sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 2 through 5 of this act shall expire July 1, 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.