AN ACT Relating to ethnic studies in public schools; adding a new section to chapter 28A.655 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature stated in RCW 28A.150.210 that a "basic education is an evolving program of instruction that is intended to provide students with the opportunity to become responsible and respectful global citizens." In order to prepare students to be global citizens, the legislature intends to require that the superintendent of public instruction develop, and periodically update, state learning standards 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 and a model ethnic studies curriculum for use in grades seven through twelve. The legislature also intends to encourage public schools with students in grades seven through twelve to offer an ethnic studies course that incorporates this curriculum.

By September 1, 2020, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall adopt essential academic learning requirements 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. These essential academic learning requirements and grade-level expectations must be periodically updated to incorporate best practices in ethnic studies.

(1)(a) By September 1, 2020, the superintendent of public instruction shall develop a model ethnic studies curriculum for use in grades seven through twelve. The model curriculum must be designed to prepare students to be global citizens in a global society with an appreciation for the contributions of diverse cultures. The model curriculum must be based on the essential academic learning requirements, including those adopted under section 2 of this act.

(2) Public schools with students in grades seven through twelve are encouraged to offer an ethnic studies course that incorporates the curriculum developed under subsection (1) of this section.

(b)(i) The ethnic studies advisory committee must recommend to the superintendent of public instruction essential academic learning requirements 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. Before developing or identifying essential academic learning requirements and grade-level expectations that meet the requirements of this subsection, the committee must review best practices in ethnic studies.

(ii) The ethnic studies advisory committee must advise, assist, and make recommendations to the superintendent of public instruction regarding the development of the model ethnic studies curriculum required under section 2 of this act.

(c) The ethnic studies advisory committee must be composed of a majority of educators with experience in teaching ethnic studies from public high schools and institutions of higher education, including educators representing the Washington state commissions on African-American affairs, Asian Pacific American affairs, and Hispanic affairs, and the governor's office of Indian affairs.