SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1486

BYHouse Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Pruitt, Holm, Walker, Cooper, Rasmussen, Ebersole, Holland, Anderson, Heavey, Crane, P. King, May, Sanders and Spanel)

Requiring school districts to provide for citizenship education.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 18, 1988; February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bender, Benitz, Gaspard, Lee, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In the past two years there has been renewed interest in being sure that students understand their role as citizens in a democratic society.  Various reports issued by agencies and associations, such as the United States Department of Education, the American Federation of Teachers and the American Association of School Boards of Directors, have suggested that students lack a basic understanding of how a democratic society works and the importance of citizenship involvement.  A number of school districts and states have begun to develop citizenship education programs to assure that basic concepts and skills important to a democratic society are taught to our students.

SUMMARY:

The board of directors of each school district must adopt a comprehensive plan by September 1, 1989, to include citizenship education in the curriculum of the school district.  The curriculum must include instruction in each of the following areas:  academic disciplines, character (values) education, societal education and experiential citizenship education.

The board of directors of each first class school district must appoint a citizenship advisory committee to include teachers, administrators, parents, school board members, and members of local government.  The committee will advise the school board on the development of citizenship education plans and annually review and make recommendations for change.  A standing citizen advisory committee may be used rather than appointing a new committee for this purpose.  Recommendations for change must be submitted to the board of directors by July 1 of alternate years beginning in 1990.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

School districts are required to adopt a written policy on citizenship education rather than adopt a comprehensive plan to include citizenship education in the districts curriculum.

Districts are encouraged to seek information from the state center for voluntary action in the local development of any community service guidelines for students.

Districts are encouraged to grant high school graduation credit for community service experiences, in accordance with State Board of Education rules.

The provisions setting forth various deadlines requiring districts to establish an advisory committee or use an existing advisory committee to assist in the development of the plan, and requiring the advisory committee to review annually the comprehensive plan are deleted.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 19, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Wes Pruitt, sponsor (for); Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators; Judy Hartmann, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; Bob Fisher, Washington Education Association (for)