SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5463

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

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1985; March 2, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Gaspard, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bender, Smitherman, Warnke.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  March 5, 1987

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 6, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Education.

      Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Fleming, Kreidler, Moore, Owen, Rinehart, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Mike Williams (786-7715)

                  April 14, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 12, 1987

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 is to 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 applications must include a plan which includes:  district participation in the model curriculum/guidelines development activities; the application or intent to conduct a foreign language program including either Japanese or Mandarin Chinese beginning in the ninth grade; a staff in-service training program relating to implementation of 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 and the program shall be implemented beginning with the 1988-89 school year.  The international education program shall be 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, shall 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 also submit to the Legislature by January 1, 1991, and every two years thereafter, a report on the progress of the grant program.

Appropriation:    $295,000 for the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION:  Bruce Mitchell, President, World Affairs Council; Dale Hempel, Moses Lake School District; Jill Severn, Global Reach Consortium; Pat Smith, Keith Forest, Carl Buchholz, teachers, Decatur High School, Federal Way School District; Frances Laureen Menoher, parent; Denise Scheyer; James Grob, Seattle School District; David Thorud, Dean, College of Forest Resources, University of Washington

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is encouraged to include parents on the advisory committee the Superintendent must establish.

The biennial reporting requirement on the international education grant program is deleted.

Funds appropriated by the Legislature may be spent only for grant programs.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction must use existing staff and resources for administration and development of the grant program.

The appropriation section is deleted.