Brief Description: Enhancing Washington state history and government course requirements for high school graduation.

Sponsors: By Representatives Wallace, Chase, Sells, Conway, Morrell, Haigh, Hankins and Santos.

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

Background:

High school graduation requirements include two and one-half credits of social studies. At least one credit of this total must cover U.S. history and government, and another one-half credit is required in Washington history and government. Study of the U.S. and Washington Constitutions is a requisite part of these courses. State law encourages, but does not require, that the Washington history and government course include information about the history, culture, and government of the American Indian people. Beginning with the 2008-09 school year, students in the 11th or 12th grades must complete at least one classroom based assessment in civics.

Summary:

Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, school districts are required to ensure that Washington history and government courses include the following content:

• commerce in Washington and Washington's place in the global economy;
• the Washington State Constitution and Washington politics;
• Washington geography; and
• Washington history and culture.

Educators are encouraged to also include instruction on the meaning and history of the pledge of allegiance. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction must adopt rules to provide guidance for complying with the provision regarding instruction about Washington's Constitution, politics, and the pledge of allegiance.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   91   0
Senate   48   0   (Senate amended)
House   89   4   (House concurred)

Effective: June 12, 2008