HB 1896-S2 - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Creates the expanded civics education teacher training program, within the office of the superintendent of public instruction, to provide for the selection of a team of qualified social studies teachers, and when appropriate, civics education specialists, from across the state who will: (1) Develop teacher training materials that include civics information on national, state, tribal, and local government and the civics component of the federally administered naturalization test required to become naturalized United States citizens;

(2) Provide teacher training including the college, career, and civic life framework and the six proven instructional practices for enhancing civic education; and

(3) Provide professional learning opportunities.

Requires each school district that operates a high school to provide a mandatory one-half credit stand-alone course in civics for each high school student. However, civics content and instruction may be embedded in social studies courses that offer students the opportunity to earn high school and postsecondary credit.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to select two school districts, that are diverse in size and in geographic and demographic makeup, to serve as demonstration sites for enhanced civics education.

Transfers responsibility for administering the Washington history day program from the Washington state historical society to the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

Requires the Washington history day program to be operated as a partnership between the office, the Washington state historical society, and private parties interested in providing funding and in-kind support for the program.

Requires the Washington state historical society to, in coordination with the office, promote the program and provide access and support for students who are conducting primary and secondary research of historical state documents and commentary.

Creates the Washington history day account.