BILL REQ. #:  H-1272.1 

Read first time 01/26/2007.   Referred to Committee on Education.

     AN ACT Relating to modernizing Washington state history and government course requirements for high school graduation; adding a new section to chapter 28A.230 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The study of the state's history and government is vital to providing a well-rounded education to students. It is important for students to have a firm understanding of where we have come from as a state and the institutions that guide and serve citizens of the state. It is equally important to provide students with context for the information that enables them to apply it to the present and future, with an understanding of Washington's place in our country and the broader global community.
     The legislature finds that the current high school graduation requirements for coursework in Washington state history and government have become outdated and lack relevancy. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to modernize high school graduation requirements for coursework in Washington state history and government.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.230 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the 2008-09 school year, the high school graduation requirements established by the state board of education pursuant to RCW 28A.230.090 shall include a course that covers Washington state and the global economy. The content of the course shall include, but not be limited to:
     (a) Washington state history and culture;
     (b) The Constitution of the state of Washington and Washington state politics;
     (c) Washington state geography; and
     (d) Commerce in Washington state and its place in a global economy.
     (2) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop a curriculum that is consistent with the requirements of this section and that meets the requirements for the office of the superintendent of public instruction's classroom-based assessments. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall make the curriculum available for voluntary use by school districts beginning with the 2008-09 school year.