Brief Description: Providing for family and consumer science education.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Quall, Curtis, Anderson, Talcott, Eickmeyer, Kirby, Haigh, DeBolt, Dunshee, McDonald, Morrell, Buri, Miloscia, Rodne, Lovick, O'Brien, Shabro, P. Sullivan, Wood, Sells, Chase, Ormsby and Kilmer).

House Committee on Education
Senate Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education

Background:

When determining its educational programs and adopting curricula, a school district must ensure its course offerings include content meeting or exceeding: (1) the state's basic education goals; (2) the high school graduation requirements established by the State Board of Education (SBE); and (3) the minimum college entrance requirements established by the state's four-year institutions of higher education. Each district also must offer a program for high school students who plan to pursue career or work opportunities other than entering a four-year college after graduation.

Rules adopted by the SBE require school districts to offer high school students the opportunity to take at least one course in the Home and Family Life domain. Home and Family Life courses are intended generally to prepare students for family life, work life, and careers. The family and consumer science frameworks developed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) include instruction and study in the areas of: family and its impact on individuals and society; interpersonal relationships; parenting roles and responsibilities; and the integration of multiple life roles and responsibilities in family, work, and community settings.

Summary:

School districts are encouraged to adopt a family preservation education curriculum and offer a unit in family preservation education to high school students. The OSPI must adopt a model curriculum for family preservation education. The model curriculum must include instruction on developing conflict management skills, communication skills, domestic violence and dating violence, financial responsibility, and parenting responsibility. School districts may adopt the model curriculum or may develop a curriculum with input from the community.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   88   4
Senate   46   0   (Senate amended)
House   94   1   (House concurred)

Effective: July 24, 2005