SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5687

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: Although not required by statute, there has been an Indian Education Office at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for over 50 years. The mission of this office is to provide leadership, technical assistance, and advocacy to promote academic success for all students; and encourage, promote, and develop strategies to infuse the teaching of Native history, culture, language, and government in Washington's schools.

The Indian Education Office is staffed by two employees: a program supervisor and an instructional program specialist.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): An Indian Education Division (Division), known as the Office of Native Education (Office) is created within OSPI. The Superintendent of Instruction (SPI) must appoint an individual to be responsible for the Office. To the extent state funds are available, with additional support of federal and local funds where authorized by law, the duties and responsibilities of the Office are to (1) provide assistance to school districts in meeting the educational needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students; (2) facilitate the development and implementation of curricula and instructional materials in native languages, culture and history, and the concept of tribal sovereignty; (3) provide assistance to districts in the acquisition of funding to develop curricula and instructional materials in conjunction with Native language practitioners and tribal elders; (4) coordinate technical assistance for public schools that serve American Indian and Alaska Native students; (5) seek funds to develop and implement various support services for the purposes of increasing the number of American Indian and Alaska Native teachers and principals, and provide continued professional development; (6) facilitate the inclusion of Native language programs in school districts' curricula; and (7) work with all relevant agencies and committees to highlight the need for accurate, useful data that is appropriately disaggregated.

The Office must report to the Governor, the Legislature, and the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs on an annual basis, beginning in December 2012.

A Native education public-private partnership account is created in the custody of the State Treasurer in order to support the activities of the office. All funds must be deposited into the account. Only the SPI can authorize expenditures from the account.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): The name of the division within OSPI is changed to the Office of Native Education (Office).

SPI must appoint an individual to be responsible for the Office.

The funding sources for the Office are changed to within available state funds as well as the additional support of federal and local funds where authorized by law.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This bill is an important first step in Indian education. We need to protect this position and can do so by codifying it in statute. It is important to provide all the assistance possible to help these students.

This bill gives us a voice and guarantees that we are officially recognized in Washington State. This bill will allow us to be heard as it would reach all Washington State students. It is important to be part of the system that takes part in teacher preparation. Native students across the state and the nation have the highest dropout rates. There is always work that needs to be done to address the needs of native students. This bill marks a commitment to those children.

OTHER: We do not support the original bill, but do support language in the proposed substitute bill. The substitute bill will change the funding source so that this position can still receive federal funds. This change reduces the fiscal note to less than $10,000. Continuing this work would enhance education opportunities for native and other students in Washington. All students will benefit from this division.