H-3525.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2577

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2002 Regular Session

By Representatives Talcott, Haigh, Cox, Schindler, Pearson, Anderson, Carrell, Schmidt, Nixon, Morell, Casada, Esser, Benson, Holmquist, Miloscia, Mitchell, Mulliken, Quall, Woods, Campbell, Ogden and Upthegrove

Read first time 01/22/2002.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Encouraging locally developed and implemented character education programs.

    AN ACT Relating to character education; amending RCW 28A.150.211; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that academic success rests on a foundation of character.  The legislature further finds that parents are the first and primary moral educators of children, and that schools have a role in reinforcing the character traits and values deemed important by parents and the local community.  The legislature further finds that when character education is integrated into a school's curriculum there is a decline of incidences involving violence, bullying, and harassment.  The legislature intends to encourage school districts to integrate character education into each school's curriculum.  The legislature further intends that local communities, in partnership with schools or school districts, should have the responsibility for determining which character traits and values are included in each district's or school's character education program.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 28A.150.211 and 1994 c 245 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature also recognizes that certain basic values and character traits are essential to individual liberty, fulfillment, and happiness.  However, these values and traits are not intended to be assessed or be standards for graduation.  The legislature intends that local communities have the responsibility for determining how these values and character traits are learned as determined by consensus at the local level.  These values and traits include the importance of:

    (((1))) (a) Honesty, integrity, and trust;

    (((2))) (b) Respect for self and others;

    (((3))) (c) Responsibility for personal actions and commitments;

    (((4))) (d) Self-discipline and moderation;

    (((5))) (e) Diligence and a positive work ethic;

    (((6))) (f) Respect for law and authority;

    (((7))) (g) Healthy and positive behavior; and

    (((8))) (h) Family as the basis of society.

(2) Each school district is strongly encouraged to develop and implement a character education program that incorporates into its curriculum the character traits and values included in subsection (1) of this section.  Each school district is also strongly encouraged to develop its character education program in partnership with parents and all interested stakeholders in its local community.  When developing character education programs, school districts shall comply with the open public meetings act, chapter 42.30 RCW.

(3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall collect and make available on its web site programs and instructional materials that will help school districts, in consultation with parents and local community members, to teach students how to demonstrate in a school setting the character traits in subsection (1) of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The sum of thirty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, from the general fund to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of section 2(3) of this act.

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