"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The study of the state's history and government is vital to providing a well-rounded education to students. It is important for students to have a firm understanding of where we have come from as a state and the institutions that guide and serve citizens of the state. It is equally important to provide students with context for the information that enables them to apply it to the present and future, with an understanding of Washington's place in our country and the broader global community.
     The legislature finds that the current high school graduation requirements for coursework in Washington state history and government should be enhanced to ensure students understand the complex issues of today's world and Washington's place in the global community. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to modernize high school graduation requirements for coursework in Washington state history and government.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:
     Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, school districts shall ensure that any course in Washington state history and government offered to fulfill high school requirements includes, but is not limited to, the following content:
     (1) Commerce in Washington state and Washington's place in a global economy;
     (2) The Constitution of the state of Washington and Washington state politics. Educators are encouraged to incorporate instruction on the meaning and history of the pledge of allegiance into existing coursework on state politics. The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules to provide guidance for complying with this subsection;
     (3) Washington state geography; and
     (4) Washington state history and culture."