Title: An act relating to creation of the position of world language supervisor.

Brief Description: Creating the position of world language supervisor in the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Schual-Berke, Hasegawa, Roberts, Goodman, Kenney, Santos, Chase and Quall.

Brief History:

Education: 1/18/08, 1/29/08 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Haigh, Liias, Santos and Sullivan.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Roach.

Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).

Background:

Instruction in world languages is not a state high school graduation requirement in Washington, although students seeking admission to one of the state's public four-year institutions of higher education must take two years of the same foreign language, Native American language, or American Sign Language. Washington's Essential Academic Learning Requirements do not cover world languages. However, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has endorsed, for voluntary use, standards for world language instruction adopted by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The OSPI does not currently have a staff position dedicated to world languages.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The OSPI must assign at least one full-time staff as the world language supervisor. The supervisor's duties are to:

• develop and conduct professional development for teachers;
• provide technical assistance to schools and advise in the development of online courses;
• secure and implement grants and implement memoranda of understanding with foreign ministries of education;
• foster an articulated curriculum through elementary, secondary, and postsecondary grades;
• establish and maintain a database on course offerings in public schools;
• serve as an education liaison and advisor; and
• coordinate with existing world language resources at the college and universities.

There is specific note made that provisions relating to the world language supervisor do not relate to the first peoples' languages or affect the first peoples' teacher certification program.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill changes the intent section to remove the reference to trade dependency. It also adds findings that many local jobs are tied to the global economy and that the state can leverage its local diversity and better compete in the global economy through world language programs in school.

Changes were made with respect to the duties of the world language supervisor. The world language supervisor is no longer charged with the duty to create a clearinghouse of information and materials. An additional duty is added, requiring the supervisor to coordinate with existing resources at colleges and universities. Modifications were made regarding the supervisor's duties with respect to memoranda of understanding and assistance with visa applications for visiting teachers.

There is specific note made that provisions relating to the world language supervisor do not relate to the first peoples' languages or affect the first peoples' teacher certification program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The population in Washington is very diverse and there may be 100 languages spoken in a single school district. If Washington's citizens, especially its school children, do not speak other languages, the opportunity to trade with other countries may be lessened or lost. The schools need one point of contact in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction so that each school does not have to reinvent the wheel. Being fluent in other languages increases employment opportunities. As well as being an economic development issue, this is also an equity issue, since the four-year institutions of higher education require two years of foreign language instruction but many of our secondary schools do not offer that opportunity to their students. With a world language supervisor in place, Washington may become eligible for many federal grants.

(With concerns) The tribes and tribal governments should not feel like this is a mandate from the state with respect to first peoples' languages.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Hudgins, prime sponsor; Lauren Kiolet, Washington Association for Language Teaching; Isabel Munoz-Colon, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Michele Anciaux Aoki, Washington State Coalition for International Education.

(With concerns) Suzi Wright, Tulalip Tribes.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.