S-4174.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6333

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senators Hochstatter, Finkbeiner, Johnson, Wood, Zarelli and Oke

Read first time 01/11/96.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Requiring the study and knowledge of United States foundational historical documents as a prerequisite to high school graduation.

    AN ACT Relating to instruction in foundational historical documents of importance to basic American political and social values; amending RCW 28A.230.170; and adding a new section to chapter 28A.230 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The preamble to the Washington state Constitution states, "We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for out liberties, do ordain this constitution."  The founders of our state recognized the source of our freedoms and expressed their gratitude thereto in the Constitution.

    (2) The legislature finds that the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, George Washington's First Inaugural Address and Farewell Address, Hornbook Reader, New England Primer, and the Constitution of the state of Washington:

    (a) Arose from the conviction that progress could be achieved through virtuous and enlightened self-government;

    (b) Embody the fundamental principles of our political freedoms and social distinctives and reflect our long and rich heritage of liberty and opportunity; and

    (c) Are lasting monuments to the dedicated individuals who helped create the intellectual and moral basis for the greatest nation in the world, the constitutional republic of the United States of America.

    (3) The legislature further finds that young people need to:

    (a) Fully appreciate the nature of liberty and the ideas that laid the foundation for the rights, privileges, and quality of life we enjoy today as United States citizens;

    (b) Clearly understand the duties inherent in responsible citizenship including the obligation to become meaningfully informed and to participate actively in the electoral process; and

    (c) Read, discuss, and understand the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, the Federalist Papers, George Washington's First Inaugural Address and Farewell Address, Hornbook Reader, New England Primer, and the Constitution of the state of Washington as representative of the basic values this nation and state were founded upon.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 28A.230.170 and 1985 c 341 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The thorough study and demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Constitution of the United States, the Magna Carta, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, George Washington's First Inaugural Address and Farewell Address, Hornbook Reader, New England Primer, and the Constitution of the state of Washington shall be a condition prerequisite to graduation from the public and private high schools of this state.  The state board of education acting upon the advice of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide by rule or regulation for the implementation of this section.

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