HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 5463

As Amended by the House

BYSenators Fleming, von Reichbauer, Hansen, Gaspard, Smitherman, Rinehart, McDermott, Bauer, Vognild, Rasmussen and Moore

Establishing a program to increase students' awareness of other nations.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (14)

      Signed by Representatives Ebersole, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cole, Holland, Holm, Peery, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Rust, Taylor, Todd and Valle.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Fuhrman and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

Rereferred House Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass with the following amendments by Committee on Ways & Means/Appropriations and not by Committee on Education.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Allen, Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Ebersole, Grant, Grimm, Hine, Holland, McMullen, Peery, Sayan, Silver, H. Sommers and Sprenkle.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (5)

      Signed by Representatives Fuhrman, McLean, Nealey, L. Smith and B. Williams.

House Staff:      Janet Peterson (786-7143)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Washington's geographic location presents the state an opportunity to develop cultural, foreign trade, and other special ties with nations that comprise the Pacific Rim.  It is suggested that an international education program would enhance the state's ability to establish such ties and promote better understanding about other nations and Washington's relationship to those countries.

SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) is required to establish an advisory committee, including parents, on international education issues.  The superintendent shall also establish a working committee to develop international education model curriculum or curriculum guidelines.

Appropriations to implement the bill are to be used exclusively for grants to selected school districts to develop and implement international education programs.  SPI administrative and development costs must be absorbed within existing staff and resource levels.  Districts may develop their own model curriculums for participation in the grant program.

Grant applications must include a plan which includes:  district participation in the model curriculum/guidelines development activities; the application or intent to conduct a foreign language program including either Japanese or Mandarin Chinese beginning in the ninth grade; a staff in-service training program relating to implementation of international education curriculum; evaluation of the pilot program; and a goal to enlist participation by private enterprise, the community, cultural and ethnic associations, and exchange students or students who have participated in exchange programs.

The superintendent shall select five grant projects by January 1, 1988 and the program shall be implemented beginning with the 1988-89 school year.  The international education program shall be considered a social studies offering for the purposes of the state's minimum high school graduation requirements.

The SPI, in cooperation with the advisory committee, shall conduct a feasibility study on establishing an international education curriculum resource center and submit a report to the legislature by January 1, 1988.  The SPI shall also submit to the legislature by January 1, 1991, a report on the progress of the program.

Fiscal Note:      Requested April 7, 1987

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Education)  Elaine Hickman, self; Ernesta Ballard, Pacific Celebration; Jill Severn, Global Research Consortium; Dick Moody, Educational Service District  101, Spokane.

(Ways & Means/ Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Education)  C.J. Aldrich, self; John Wilson, self; Robert Brownlee, self; Vivian Parsons, self; Chris Shardelman, self; Lois Smith, self; Charles Buran, self; L.H. Monahan, self; Sonnia Bean, self; Barbara Orle, self; Pauline Wilkening, Concerned Women of America; Kevin Conner, self; Debbie Bauers, self; Betty Johnson, self; Carolyn Tarmala, self; Betty Casey, self.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Education)  For Washington to take its place as a contributing partner in our modern world and economy it is important that we understand our place, and role in the world at large.  This is particularly important in our relationship with other nations of the Pacific Rim.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Education)  We should be concerned with affirming the ideals and goals of our own state and nation.  Without a strong state and national identify our students will be confused by the ideas and cultures of other nations.  Teaching about other cultures promotes values that are contrary to our own.

(Ways & Means/Appropriations)  None Presented.