SB 5655 - DIGEST

Provides that, by January 1, 2015, or when a school district reviews or adopts its social studies curriculum, whichever is sooner, the school district must incorporate into its history and social studies curricula for each grade in which the district offers instruction on Washington state and United States history, the tribally and district-approved history and culture curriculum of a federally recognized Indian tribe whose reservation in whole or in part sits within the boundaries of the school district.

Provides that, if a district has no portion of a tribal reservation located within its boundaries, the district must incorporate into its curricula the tribally and district-approved history and culture curriculum of the federally recognized Indian tribes whose traditional lands and territories are within a one hundred mile radius of the school district.

Requires the program of Indian education within the office of the superintendent of public instruction to assist school districts in determining the location of tribal reservations and traditional lands and territories.

Provides that the tribal history and culture curriculum required under this section may be taught only by a teacher who has completed that tribe's first people's language and culture teacher certification program, or by a teacher who has been approved by the respective tribe whose curriculum is to be taught.