HB 2814-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Declares an intent to help school districts improve instruction in civics by providing professional development for teachers and by creating an award program for students who demonstrate a strong understanding of the state's civics standards and who exhibit leadership in the civic life of their communities.

Establishes the Daniel J. Evans civic education award to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of students who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the civics essential learning requirements.

Provides that, subject to available funding, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, the superintendent of public instruction shall provide professional development grants to teachers who have used one or more of the classroom-based civics assessment models developed by the superintendent of public instruction. The grants may be used to attend state, regional, or national institutes, trainings, and conferences related to civics education, if the institutes, trainings, and conferences are covering skills and knowledge that are consistent with Washington's civics essential academic learning requirements.

Provides that, subject to available funding, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, the superintendent of public instruction shall provide summer professional development opportunities for teachers in implementing the civics essential academic learning requirements and the classroom-based civics assessments developed by the superintendent of public instruction.