SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5028

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Higher Education, January 26, 2017

Title: An act relating to requiring teacher preparation programs to integrate Native American curriculum developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction into existing Pacific Northwest history and government requirements.

Brief Description: Requiring teacher preparation programs to integrate Native American curriculum developed by the office of the superintendent of public instruction into existing Pacific Northwest history and government requirements.

Sponsors: Senators McCoy, Billig, Carlyle, Hasegawa, Chase, Rolfes, Saldaña, Pedersen and Keiser.

Committee Activity: Higher Education: 1/24/17, 1/26/17 [DP-WM].

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires teacher preparation programs to integrate Native American curriculum, developed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), into existing history and government course requirements.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Wilson, Chair; Bailey, Vice Chair; Palumbo, Ranking Minority Member; Baumgartner and Frockt.

Staff: Evan Klein (786-7483)

Background: Teacher Preparation Programs. All teachers' colleges and teachers' courses at institutions of higher education in Washington must include a one quarter or semester course in either Washington State history and government or Pacific Northwest history and government with the curriculum. No person may graduate from a teachers college or teacher program without completing this course of study, unless otherwise determined by the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board. Courses used to fulfill this requirement must include information on culture, history, and government of American Indian peoples.

Since Time Immemorial Curriculum. In 2005, the Legislature encouraged OSPI to help school districts identify federally recognized Indian tribes within or near school districts and school districts were encouraged to do the following:

incorporate curricula about tribal history, culture, and government of the nearest federally recognized tribe and work with tribes to develop such materials;
collaborate with tribes to create materials, programs, and cultural exchanges; and
collaborate with OSPI on curricular areas of tribal government and history that are statewide in nature.

In 2011, the Legislature directed OSPI to create the Office of Native Education (ONE). ONE was tasked with several duties, including facilitating the development and implementation of curricula and instructional materials regarding native languages, culture and history, and the concept of tribal sovereignty.

OSPI, private and public agencies, and several of the 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State partnered and funded the Since Time Immemorial curriculum. The curriculum includes courses and materials on Washington State and United States Tribal history for elementary, middle, and high school students. OSPI must make the curriculum available free of charge.

Summary of Bill: Washington State history and government and Pacific Northwest history and government courses, that are incorporated in the curriculum of all teacher preparation programs, must integrate the Native American curriculum, developed by OSPI, into the course. Institutions may modify the curriculum in order to incorporate elements that have a regionally specific focus.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This curriculum development has been in process for 12 years. The Yakima Nation worked with OSPI in developing this curriculum. OSPI overseas the Since Time Immemorial curriculum and is excited to integrate this curriculum into teacher preparation programs. This bill would support OSPI to provide the curriculum to pre-service teachers. The Student Association unanimously endorsed this bill. Students recognize the importance of future teachers learning and understanding native history.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Bob Cooper, WA Assoc. of Colleges for Teacher Education; Michael Vendiola, Office of Native Education-OSPI; Dawn Vyvyan, Yakama Nation Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe; Elissa Goss, Washington Student Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.