HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5633

BYSenate Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Senators Moore and Bailey)

Establishing a foreign language pilot program for elementary schools.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION MARCH 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Many foreign countries require students to learn a second language.  In the United States learning a foreign language is elective.  The importance of speaking a foreign language and understanding foreign cultures is important as we see the development of a world economy.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction may grant funds appropriated for this purpose to conduct a foreign language program in Spanish or Japanese in at least one elementary school in one selected district through the 1995-96 school year.  The program shall include grades kindergarten through six.

In selecting the participating district the Superintendent shall consider:  1) The availability of existing district resources for the foreign language pilot program, including certificated teachers already employed by the district as instructors or consultants; 2) The availability of volunteers, who are native speakers of the language, as instructors; 3) Use of secondary school and foreign language students as tutors or aides; and 4) Diversity of format of the pilot program to assure that various methods of instruction, including the use of technology, will be able to be evaluated.  Information on the projects shall be made available to other districts through the education clearinghouse.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall report on the program and its effectiveness by December 1, 1990.  The final report to the legislature is due no later than December 1, 1995.

The sum of $49,500 is appropriated for this purpose.

Appropriation:    $49,500 to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Fiscal Note:      Requested March 13, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Ray Moore.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The purpose of this bill is to recognize and begin to ensure that our students develop the skills they will need to work in a world economy.  To work effectively with other nations it is essential that we understand the language and the culture of our trading partners.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.