SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1627
BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Belcher, Brooks, Hargrove, Grimm, Sayan, Peery, Ebersole, Cole, Scott, Valle, Sprenkle, Brekke, Leonard and Locke)
Establishing a family life education program.
House Committe on Education
Senate Committee on Education
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 24, 1988; February 25, 1988
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Bender, Gaspard, Rinehart.
Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)
February 26, 1988
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 25, 1988
BACKGROUND:
School programs can help equip children with the skills necessary to address the complex issues of modern life. It is especially important that children have the knowledge and skills to protect their health and well-being. Although some school districts have developed comprehensive health programs, others have not incorporated all the information necessary for personal health and well-being in their curriculum.
SUMMARY:
The Legislature intends that school districts develop and adopt a comprehensive plan on family life education. The family life education program is to provide basic life skills and comprehensive health information to children in grades kindergarten through twelve. Each school district board of directors, during the 1989-90 school year, shall develop and adopt a comprehensive plan on family life education and a plan for implementation in grades kindergarten through twelve during the 1990-91 school year.
The goals of the program are to aid children in acquiring skills to allow them to make informed decisions concerning their health and interpersonal relationships; to develop and support responsible personal behavior; to enrich the community; to help schools in the development of a comprehensive family life education program including health education, acquired immune deficiency syndrome education, substance abuse education, child abuse and neglect prevention and social skills development; and to develop an understanding of the foundations of human development, sexuality, and reproduction at the various stages of growth. Instruction should be appropriate to the child's level of maturity, take place within the existing curriculum where possible and be sensitive to diverse cultural and religious values. Nothing in this program shall be understood to authorize or provide funds for a school-based adolescent clinic.
Each school district board of directors shall appoint a school and community family life education advisory committee. Members of the committee shall include, but not be limited to, representatives of certificated instructional staff, school administrators, parents and guardians, students, physicians, community organizations and the community. The committee shall help coordinate the family life education program and provide for community participation and support in developing the comprehensive plan and program.
Annually, a school district must hold at least one informational session for parents and guardians on the curriculum and materials to be used in the family life education program. The presentation shall be held during evening and weekend hours. The parents and guardians shall be notified by the school district of the presentation and their right to inspect. No child may be required to participate in family life education if the student's parent or guardian, having attended one of the district presentations, objects in writing to the participation.
School districts shall evaluate the effectiveness of the district's family life education program. Beginning in 1991, school districts shall report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) by August 1 of each year on the implementation and effectiveness of the program.
SPI shall develop and make available for use training materials and suggested procedures for the development and implementation of family life education policies. In-service training for teachers and technical assistance shall also be provided. SPI shall appoint his or her own family life education advisory committee to advise the superintendent on matters of local program development, coordination, and evaluation. A report on the implementation of family life programs shall be presented to the education committees of the House of Representatives and Senate by November 1, 1991.
Information on effective family life education programs, which reflect a variety of methods and programs, shall be disseminated to all school districts and other interested parties through the state clearinghouse for education information.
The sum of $50,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the biennium ending 1989 to carry out the purposes of this act.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:
School districts are required to adopt a written policy on life skills education, including a specific statement on comprehensive health education, rather than develop and implement a comprehensive family life education program. The written policy must focus particularly on life skills education in grades K-6 but shall include grades 7-12 as well.
The goals of the family life education program are deleted and a definition of life skills is provided to give districts direction in adopting their policies. The definition includes skills relating to good interpersonal skills, a strong sense of one's personal capabilities, the ability to exercise sound judgment, responsibility, respect, and learning how to learn.
In adopting the policy, districts are encouraged but not required to review both their curriculum and certain statutory provisions including the Washington life skills test, AIDS prevention education, the substance abuse awareness and dropout prevention programs, the child abuse and neglect prevention program, and instruction pertaining to physiology and hygiene, and home and family life education.
Districts shall assure parent and community involvement in developing the policy but are not required to appoint an advisory committee.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) will provide technical assistance and in-service training on a request basis and only from funds provided. The SPI, and the Departments of Social and Health Services and Community Development must share relevant information about life skills education.
The appropriation is reduced to $49,500.
The following provisions are deleted: the requirement that districts at least once annually preview family life education curriculum materials for parents and guardians; timelines for implementation of the local family life education programs and making reports to SPI; requiring the SPI to develop training materials and to appoint a statewide advisory committee; and requiring the SPI to report to legislative committees.
Appropriation: $49,500 is appropriated from the general fund to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the implementation of this act.
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested February 8, 1988
Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Belcher, original prime sponsor (for); Representative Hargrove, original sponsor (for); Kathleen Preston, Washington Vocational Association (for); Richard Forcier, self (against); Joyce Hopson, DSHS (for); Shirley Olsen, self (against); Jan Carlson, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (for); Joanne Coker, self (against); Katherine Reed, self (against); John Taylor, self (against); Gloria Hargrove, self (against); Cheryl Tanaka, self (against); Beverly Jacobson, Washington State Nurses Association (for); Ann Olson, Washington State PTA (for); Donna Shy, Seattle Council-PTSA (for); Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators (for); Larry Swift, Washington State School Directors Association (for)