SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1814

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Phillips, Wineberry, Peery, Betrozoff, Walker, G. Fisher, Holland, Valle, Ebersole, Winsley, Anderson, Wang, Locke, O'Brien, Miller, Nelson and Leonard)

Creating the cultural diversity in-service training program for teachers.

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 28, 1989; March 30, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Bender, Fleming, Gaspard, Murray, Rinehart.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Anderson, Benitz, Craswell.

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

                  March 31, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Students in our state come from many nations.  In some school districts, students speak as many as 70 different languages and dialects.  The cultural diversity of our population means that students and their families may hold unique beliefs, expectations, customs, and experiences.  To be an effective teacher, the staff in our schools must be exposed and be sensitive to the cultural backgrounds of their students.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction may grant funds to selected school districts to conduct a cultural sensitivity training program.  The purpose of the program is to increase teacher awareness of the unique beliefs, expectations, customs, and experiences of other cultures.  The selected school districts may develop and present the program or contract with other individuals, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or other organizations to perform the training.

Districts wishing to participate shall file an application requesting the training with the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The application shall describe:  (1) the cultural diversity within the district and any prior cultural diversity training provided to students and/or staff; (2) a plan for the district to provide 20 percent matching funds; (3) the training program to be offered and whether the program will be provided by district personnel, by contract with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, other individuals, or organizations for this service; (4) the number and grade level of teachers and staff to be trained; and (5) the plan for evaluating the effectiveness of the program.  Joint applications will be accepted. If more districts apply than can be funded, priority will be given to districts with the largest percentage of minority students.

Appropriation:    unspecified amount to the Superintendent of Public Instruction

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 25, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: PRO:  Representative Larry Phillips, prime sponsor; Dwayne Slate, WSSDA; T.J. Vasser, Seattle School Board; Claudia Kauffman Barnhart, United Indian Tribes; Dick Sippola and Gloria De Martinez, Yakima Public Schools; Rodrigo L. Barron, Seattle School District; Mako Nakagama, OSPI; Paul Patu, Samon South Pacific Comm., Laki Moimoi, Tangan South Pacific Comm., Annie Jones, Seattle School District; Miguel Miyestas; Susan De Akoan, Seattle Public Schools; Jeanne Reeder, Seattle Public Schools; Daina Bennett, Co-Chair, African-American Parent Council; Earl Debham, Co-Chair, African-American Parent Council; Nam Duam, Bilingual South East Asian; Margie Griffin; Marka Nokodowa; Mary Vester