Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
SB 5028
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Requiring teacher preparation programs to integrate Native American curriculum developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction into existing Pacific Northwest history and government requirements.
Sponsors: Senators McCoy, Billig, Carlyle, Hasegawa, Chase, Rolfes, Saldaña, Pedersen and Keiser.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/8/18
Staff: Katie Choate (786-7296) and Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
Teacher Preparation Programs. The curriculum of teachers' colleges and teachers' courses at institutions of higher education in Washington must include a one quarter or semester course in either Washington state history and government or Pacific Northwest history and government. No person may graduate from a teachers college or teacher program without completing this course.
Native American Curriculum. In 2011 the Legislature directed the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create the Office of Native Education (ONE). The ONE was tasked with several duties, including facilitating the development and implementation of curricula and instructional materials regarding native languages, culture and history, and the concept of tribal sovereignty.
The Native American curriculum, titled the Since Time Immemorial (STI) curriculum, was developed by the ONE in partnership with public and private agencies and several of the 29 federally recognized Indian tribes whose reservations are located in Washington. The STI supports teaching of tribal sovereignty, tribal history, and current tribal issues within OSPI's recommended units on Washington and United States (U.S.) history in the elementary and middle school levels and U.S. history and Contemporary World Issues in the high school level. Each unit is aligned to state standards.
In 2015 legislation was enacted to require, rather than encourage, the OSPI and school districts to take certain actions to develop and incorporate curricula about tribes, including requiring districts to use the STI curriculum. The STI curriculum is available online free of charge from the OSPI.
Summary of Bill:
Teacher preparation programs must integrate the Native American curriculum developed by the OSPI into Washington state history and government, or Pacific Northwest history and government, programs or courses. Teacher preparation programs may modify the curriculum in order to incorporate elements that have a regionally specific focus.
All teacher preparation programs, not just teachers' colleges and teachers' courses in institutions of higher education, must comply with these requirements.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.