S-0999.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5639
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State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Senators Fairley, Wood, Kohl, Prince, Fraser, Rasmussen and Prentice
Read first time 01/30/95. Referred to Committee on Higher Education.
AN ACT Relating to world language instruction; adding new sections to chapter 28A.410 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes the critical need for world language instructors, and finds that alternative approaches to the certification of teachers of languages other than English must be pursued. The legislature further finds that teacher preparation candidates should be encouraged to study world language and cultures, and that world language majors should be encouraged to consider a career in education. In addition, increased efforts are needed to maximize the availability of world language instruction in our schools through the use of distant-learning and other technology.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
(1) Individuals who demonstrate that they are fluent in a language other than English and who are knowledgeable in the culture and history of other countries may provide world language, cultural, and history instruction in public and private schools without having to graduate from a teacher preparation program.
(2) The state board of education shall modify its certification requirements by January 1, 1996, to make the board's certification requirements consistent with subsection (1) of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28A.410 RCW to read as follows:
Effective September 1, 2000, individuals shall demonstrate competency in a second world language before receiving an initial teaching certificate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) By December 1, 1996, the state board of education, the higher education coordinating board, and the state board for community and technical colleges shall jointly develop incentives to:
(a) Encourage teacher preparation candidates to study world languages and other cultures and their histories, and to incorporate international and multicultural perspectives into their classrooms;
(b) Encourage world language majors to consider a career in education; and
(c) Support the use of technology to maximize the availability of world language instruction and international and multicultural experiences.
(2) The state board of education, the higher education coordinating board, and the state board for community and technical colleges shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 15, 1996, regarding incentives developed under subsection (1) of this section.
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