HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4030

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                          Education

Brief Description:  Urging schools to instruct students in the meaning and history of the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist papers.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Betrozoff, Peery, Brough, Jones, Neher, Vance, G. Cole, Broback, P. Johnson, Carlson, Bowman, Orr, Casada, Morton, Silver, Nealey and May.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Education, January 30, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 19 members:  Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Betrozoff; Broback; Brumsickle; Carlson; G. Cole; Dorn; P. Johnson; Jones; J. Kohl; Neher; Orr; Rasmussen; Roland; H. Sommers; and Valle.

Staff:  Margaret Allen (786-7191).

Background:  Current statutes and regulations require students to study the Constitution of the United States prior to graduating from a high school in the state of Washington.  Such a requirement necessarily implies that students must study the Bill of Rights as well. 

There is no requirement that students study the Federalist papers, beyond a general requirement that students study United States history and government.

Summary of Bill:  This House Joint Memorial urges each school district to instruct all students in the meaning and history of the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and the Federalist papers.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Upon adoption by both houses of the Legislature.

Testimony For:  It is important that students be well-educated in the meaning and history of these documents. The house joint memorial format is preferable to a bill.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Dwayne Slate, Washington State School Directors' Association (supports); and Cris Shardelman and Erika Cranmer, private citizens (support but recommend the reference to democracy be changed to "republic" or "constitutional republic").