SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5633

BYSenators Moore and Bailey

Establishing a foreign language pilot program for elementary schools.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1989; February 23, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5633 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

                  February 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 23, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature acknowledges that it is important for students and future citizens to become fluent in the languages of the Pacific Rim and Latin American countries.

SUMMARY:

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

The SPI establishes a procedure for accepting applications for this pilot program considering:  the available resources in the district, volunteers who are native speakers of the language, use of secondary school and foreign language students as tutors or aides.

The SPI collects information about foreign language programs in elementary schools through the state clearinghouse for education information and disseminates the information to school districts and other interested parties upon request.  The Superintendent of Public Instruction evaluates the effectiveness of the foreign language pilot program and submits a progress report to the Legislature on its effectiveness by December 1, 1990 and a final report on December 1, 1995.

The pilot program expires December 1, 1995.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The number of foreign language programs is reduced from five school districts to one school district.  The appropriation is reduced from $500,000 to $49,500.

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

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 17, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Moore, prime sponsor (pro); Len Watson, Government Relations, Seattle Public Schools (pro); Bob Fisher, WEA (pro)