SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5594

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a grant program for supporting media literacy and digital citizenship.
Requires OSPI to convene two regional conferences on the subject of media literacy and digital citizenship.

Background: Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy. Current state law defines digital citizenship as the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current technology use, including digital and media literacy, ethics, etiquette, and security. The term also includes the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, develop, produce, and interpret media, as well as Internet safety and cyberbullying prevention and response.

Media literacy, according to OSPI, is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using a variety of forms of communication.

In 2016, the Legislature required OSPI to convene an advisory group to identify successful practices and recommend media literacy and digital citizenship improvements statewide. The Legislature also directed the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) to create model policies on electronic sources and Internet safety, and in 2017, tasked OSPI with providing online resources in these areas.

In addition, each school district must annually review its policy and procedures on electronic resources and Internet safety. In doing so, the district must consider, among other things, best practices, resources, and models for instruction in digital citizenship, Internet safety, and media literacy, including methods to involve parents.

Summary of Bill: Grant Program. OSPI shall establish a grant program for the purpose of supporting media literacy and digital citizenship through school district leadership teams. Leadership teams in this program are to develop a curriculum unit on media literacy, digital citizenship, or both, that may be integrated into social studies, English language arts, or health. The curriculum unit must be made available as an open educational resource.

School districts in the program are expected to evaluate the unit they develop, and are encouraged to work with school district teacher-librarians or a library information technology program, if applicable.

Regional Conferences on Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship. Subject to funding, OSPI shall convene two regional conferences on the subject of media literacy and digital citizenship. The conferences should highlight work performed by recipients of the grant program created under the bill. The locations for these conferences must include one site in western Washington and one site in eastern Washington.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill would help districts deliver curricula that can be available to all students in the state. The current nature of online content and research makes it difficult for students to thoughtfully analyze media of different types. There is an urgent need to educate students on how to source, investigate, and collaborate on media literacy. Media literacy and education will lead to better-informed and more civically minded citizens. The bill offers an opportunity for K-12 and public librarians to educate students with skills they will use their entire lives. Students need critical thinking and digital skills to be able to safely navigate career and academic projects. Regional conferences will help to facilitate coordination and success across the state.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Carolyn Logue, Washington Library Association; Trish Henry, Mead School District; Morgen Larsen, Central Valley School District; Rebekah Kim, Highline Public Schools, Executive Director of Teaching, Learning and Leadership; Shawn Sheller, Action 4 Media Education AME; Derek Stewart, North Thurston Public Schools.