1143 Not Adopt 4/16/91.3645
HB 1143 - S AMD
By Senators Saling, Jesernig, Bauer, Patterson, Stratton and Niemi
Exceeds Scope - 4/16/91
On page 7, after line 14, insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The legislature finds that the large number of international graduate students has highlighted the need for state institutions of higher education to give careful attention to the issues of language proficiency, sensitivity to cultural differences, and pedagogical skills when making graduate service appointments. The legislature also finds that the quality of the undergraduate learning experience at many state institutions of higher education is directly affected by graduate teaching assistants who are responsible for a significant percentage of class sections taught in lower-division courses. The legislature recognizes that over the years it has received reports about the problems some students experience in understanding the English language as spoken by some of the graduate teaching assistants employed as instructors at our state institutions. It is the intent of the legislature to assure students and parents that graduate teaching assistants at our state institutions of higher education are proficient in writing and speaking the English language."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows:
(1) A person who has received a graduate assistant appointment in which that person will be providing classroom instruction, or will work with students in participatory and activity courses such as clinics, studios, seminars, and laboratories, shall be fluent in both written and spoken English language.
(2) A person who has received a graduate assistant appointment in which the classroom instruction to be provided is specifically designed to be taught primarily in a foreign language is exempt from subsection (1) of this section."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Each state institution of higher education shall provide for all international teaching assistants orientation programs that include at least twenty hours of instruction emphasizing pedagogical skills appropriate to a Washington institution of higher education; intercultural competency; and English language proficiency for instructional purposes.
(2) Each state institution of higher education shall evaluate its graduate assistants for fluency in English as such fluency pertains to the classroom, laboratory, studio, and seminar setting. Fluency shall be evaluated using varied and appropriate criteria including, but not limited to, personal interviews; student observations and evaluations; and tests.
(3) A committee composed of faculty and at least two students shall review procedures affecting teaching assistants and act as a resource for any student who is concerned about the proficiency of teaching assistants. Graduate assistants whose assignments include instruction specifically designed to be provided primarily in a foreign language are exempt from this subsection.
(4) By August 1, 1991, each state institution of higher education shall submit to the higher education coordinating board a plan for certifying the instructional proficiencies of international teaching assistants. The certification process shall provide for student participation. The certification shall state that the graduate teaching assistants hired either after the effective date of this section or hired subsequent to the last annual certification are fluent in the English language as provided in section 5 of this act."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected."
HB 1143 - S AMD
By Senator Saling
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "education;" strike "and"
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "28B.40.206" insert "; adding new sections to chapter 28B.10 RCW; and creating a new section"