FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5023

C 279 L 19

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning ethnic studies materials and resources for public school students.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Hasegawa, Conway, Frockt, Wellman, Wilson, C. and Saldaña).

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Education

Background: The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has a number of powers and duties including preparing courses of study and other materials necessary for the discharging education duties. School district boards of directors have broad discretionary power to determine and adopt written policies not in conflict with other law that provide for the development and implementation of programs, activities, services, or practices.

State law requires OSPI to develop and periodically revise the essential academic learning requirements (EALRs). EALRs identify knowledge and skills all public school students need to know and be able to do based on the student learning goals. The student learning goals include civics and history. Civics and history include the understanding of different cultures and participation in representative government. Current EALRs and grade-level expectations for social studies incorporate references to cultures and ethnic groups.

Since Time Immemorial Curriculum. School districts are required to use the Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington curriculum, which is available free of charge. School districts may modify the curriculum in order to incorporate elements that have a regionally specific focus or to incorporate the curriculum into existing curricular materials.

Summary: Essential Academic Learning Requirements. By September 1, 2020, OSPI must adopt EALRs and grade-level expectations that identify the knowledge and skills that all public school students need to be global citizens in a global society with an appreciation for the contributions of diverse cultures. The EALRs and grade-level expectations must be periodically updated to incorporate best practices in ethnic studies.

Ethnic Studies Materials and Resources. By September 1, 2020, OSPI must identify and make available ethnic studies materials and resources for use in grades 7–12. The materials and resources must be designed to prepare students for global citizenship in a global society, with an appreciation for the contributions of multiple cultures. The materials and resources must be available on OSPI's website.

Public schools with students in grades 7–12 are encouraged to offer an ethnic studies course incorporating the materials and resources.

Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee. OSPI must establish an advisory committee to advise, assist, and make recommendations regarding the identification of materials and resources for use in elementary schools and grades 7–12. The advisory committee must also develop a framework to support teaching ethnic studies in grades 7–12.

The advisory committee must include a majority of educators with experience teaching ethnic studies and include educators representing the Washington State commissions on African-American Affairs, Asian Pacific American Affairs, and Hispanic Affairs.

Since Time Immemorial Curriculum. Nothing is intended to supersede the use of the Since Time Immemorial state curriculum.

Votes on Final Passage: