HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1107

BYRepresentatives Pruitt, Peery, Walker, Dorn, K. Wilson, Phillips, Cole, G. Fisher, P. King, Anderson, Valle and H. Myers 

Concerning citizenship education.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Cole, Dorn, P. King, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (6)

      Signed by Representatives Brumsickle, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones and Rayburn.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In the past three years there has been renewed interest in being sure that students understand their role as citizens in a democratic society.  Reports issued by the United State Department of Education, American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of School Board Directors suggest that students lack a basic understanding of how a democratic society works and the importance of citizenship involvement.  A number of school districts and states have begun to develop citizenship education programs to assure that the basic concepts and skills important to a democratic society are taught to students.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The legislature supports the premise that students should possess and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to fully participate in a democratic society.  This includes an awareness and concern for the rights and well being of others and a recognition of the importance of community service.  The board of directors of each school district shall consider, by placing an action item on the agenda of a regularly scheduled school board meeting, a written policy on citizenship education.  The policy shall address the extent to which the curriculum and activities of the district enable students to effectively participate in a democratic society. Citizenship education may include academic disciplines such as history, sociology, geography, political science, civics and a study of the state and federal constitutions; character education about the concepts of courage, conviction of thought and action, honesty, honor, justice, freedom of speech tolerance, self-discipline, generosity, helpfulness and freedom of choice balanced by responsibility; societal education including contemporary social problems, consumer and economic education, law, international or multi-cultural education; and experiential education including but not limited to community service, volunteerism and leadership.

As it develops a policy on citizenship education a district may wish to review the extent to which citizenship education is included in its materials and curriculum.  An advisory committee may conduct the review.  The committee shall include members representing students, teachers, administrators, parents, the school board, local government and the community.  The district may also use its instruction materials committee if the committee accepts parent and community input or conduct the review at the board's goal setting meeting or as part of the district's self-study.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall develop guidelines for a model citizenship education curriculum and make it available to all districts by January 1, 1991.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The mandate that every school district shall adopt a written citizenship education policy is dropped.  Districts shall only consider the issue as an action item on their agenda.  The mandated content of a citizenship education program is dropped.  Districts may consider what they wish as part of a citizenship education program.  The date for the development of a model citizenship education program by the Superintendent of Public Instruction is moved from January 1, 1990 to 1991.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Wes Pruitt;  David Lange, Tacoma Public Schools.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Mrs. O'Neal, citizen.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Citizenship education has been identified by the Temporary Committee on Educational Outcomes and Measurement and the Washington State Economic Development Board as an essential skill for students.  We need to assure that students understand that the essence of a democratic society is the participation of individual citizens.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      I oppose the efforts to make students view themselves as a citizen of the world.  We must make our children loyal to our country.