H-4060              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 2853

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Representatives Cole, Belcher, Jacobsen, Rust, Valle, Nelson, Ferguson, Todd, Scott and Wineberry

Read first time 1/24/90 and referred to Committees on Education/Appropriations.

AN ACT Relating to a model curriculum for dispute resolution and creative problem solving; adding new sections to Title 28A RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall prepare a model comprehensive curriculum including a curriculum framework and suggested instructional strategies to:

          (a) Improve dispute and conflict resolution skills and encourage creative problem solving;

          (b) Provide information about other cultures and the roots and nature of conflict between cultures;

          (c) Communicate insight into how attitudes are formed and decisions are made;

          (d) Provide students with models of citizen involvement in democratic processes and international affairs;

          (e) Present to students, as is appropriate to their ages, a balanced discussion of the following topics:

          (i) The history of the arms race;

          (ii) The national and international policy perspectives on the development of weapons and the nature of armed conflict; and

          (iii) The applicability of conflict resolution skills to international affairs.

          (2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide information about the model curriculum to local school districts through the educational service districts.  School districts shall be encouraged to evaluate the curriculum, adopt or modify the curriculum, and implement the curriculum.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to Title 28A RCW to read as follows:

          In complying with the requirements of section 1 of this act, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall consult and seek advice from representatives of at least the following:

          (1) Higher education;

          (2) School district boards of directors;

          (3) School superintendents;

          (4) School administrators;

          (5) Classroom teachers at both elementary and secondary levels;

          (6) School counselors;

          (7) Curriculum development organizations; and

          (8) Students.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     No later than June 30, 1991, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall make available the educational program under section 1 of this act, may field test the curriculum, and shall encourage its implementation in public school classrooms.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The sum of forty-nine thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the purposes of this act.