| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Education Committee | |
ESSB 5714
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Creating a pilot program of Spanish and Chinese language instruction.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Roach, Prentice, Rasmussen, Oemig, Clements, Rockefeller, Tom, Fairley, Hobbs, Shin, Swecker, Holmquist, Benton, Stevens, Parlette, Delvin and Kline).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/21/08
Staff: Cece Clynch (786-7195).
Background:
Currently there is no requirement for elementary, middle, or high school students to receive
instruction in languages other than English. High school students must have at least five and
one-half elective credits to graduate and the study of a world language, or the study of a world
culture, may satisfy the elective requirements. Washington's four year public institutions of
higher education require that entering students have at least 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. The
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has, however, endorsed for voluntary use the
standards for world language instruction adopted by the American Council on the Teaching of
Foreign Languages.
Although not required, there are some elementary schools in Washington that provide foreign
language instruction. Some provide dual language instruction in Spanish and English. The John
Stanford International Elementary School in Seattle offers dual language programs in Spanish
and Japanese.
Summary of Bill:
A pilot program is created for two school districts to provide Spanish and Chinese language
instruction in elementary schools. Interested districts must apply for a grant by May 15, 2008.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must determine the grant
recipients by June 15, 2008. For purposes of the pilot project, school districts are authorized to
employ people of unusual competence who are not certificated to work under the general
supervision of a certificated instructional staff person.
Participating school districts must inform parents of the availability of the pilot program and
participate in the program's evaluation. The OSPI must report to the Governor and the
Legislature regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program, and recommend whether or not to
continue, modify, or expand the program, which is set to expire on July 1, 2010.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.