BILL REQ. #:  H-1588.1 

Read first time 02/18/2003.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to world languages; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) Washington, one of the most trade-dependent states in the country, is the fifth largest exporter in the United States;
     (2) Washington is the second leading exporter to mainland China and Singapore and the third leading exporter to Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Korea, and Taiwan;
     (3) Washington is the second leading exporter to Africa, the third leading exporter to Asia, and the fourth leading exporter to the European Union;
     (4) One in five employed persons in the state works in an occupation or profession associated with international trade;
     (5) Washington's increasing reliance on international trade makes it imperative that the state increase the number of its citizens who are fluent in languages other than English and who understand the culture and customs of other countries.
     The legislature intends to increase the attention of the K-12 system on the importance of world language instruction by reestablishing the position of world language specialist at the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall assign at least one-half of a full-time equivalent employee to help school districts in their efforts to offer world language instruction in the state's public schools. The employee's responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
     (1) The establishment and maintenance of a central data base for world language programs statewide;
     (2) Provision of information to teachers and school districts on world language instruction best practices;
     (3) Assistance to teachers and school districts for new or current world language programs, including program continuity;
     (4) Assistance to districts through coordination of language programs throughout the state;
     (5) Maintenance of contact with business interests to help school districts align language course offerings with emerging job requirements; and
     (6) Subject to funding, offering classes to language teachers on communicative language teaching.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The one-half of a full-time equivalent employee under section 2 of this act shall be assigned from one of the existing full-time equivalent employees that is available to the agency on June 30, 2003.