FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5463

                                  C 349 L 87

BYSenators Fleming, von Reichbauer, Hansen, Gaspard, Smitherman, Rinehart, McDermott, Bauer, Vognild, Rasmussen and Moore

Establishing a program to increase students' awareness of other nations.

Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Ways & Means

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Washington's geographic location presents the state an opportunity to develop cultural, foreign trade, and other special ties with nations that comprise the Pacific Rim.  It is suggested that an international education program would enhance the state's ability to establish such ties and promote better understanding about other nations and Washington's relationship to those countries.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is required to establish an advisory committee on international education issues.  The Superintendent shall also establish a working committee to develop international education model curriculum or curriculum guidelines.

The SPI may grant funds to selected school districts to develop and implement international education programs.  Districts may develop their own model curriculums for participation in the grant program.

Grant application plans must include:  district participation in the model curriculum/guidelines development activities; intent to conduct a foreign language program including either Japanese or Mandarin Chinese beginning in the ninth grade; staff in-service training program and the international education curriculum; evaluation of the pilot program; and a goal to enlist participation by private enterprise, the community, cultural and ethnic associations, and exchange students or students who have participated in exchange programs.

The Superintendent shall select five grant projects by January 1, 1988 which are to be implemented beginning with the 1988-89 school year.  The international education program is considered a social studies offering for the purposes of the state's minimum high school graduation requirements.

The SPI, in cooperation with the advisory committee, is to conduct a feasibility study on establishing an international education curriculum resource center and submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 1988.  The SPI shall submit a report to the Legislature by January 1, 1991, on the progress of the grant program.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    25    23

      House 63  32 (House amended)

      Senate            (Senate refused to concur)

      House             (House refused to recede)

Free Conference Committee

      House 60  37

      Senate    25    19

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987