HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2433

BYRepresentatives Basich, Dorn, McLean, Leonard, O'Brien, Winsley, Rasmussen, Brumsickle, Peery, Pruitt, Cole, Rust, Betrozoff, K. Wilson, G. Fisher, Nelson, Rayburn, Phillips, Locke, Sayan, Jacobsen, Scott, Holland, Rector, Wineberry, Jones and Brekke

Establishing the self-image and personal responsibility grant program for school districts.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Dorn, Holland, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Fuhrman.

House Staff:Bob Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Evidence suggests that there is a strong correlation between self- esteem and personal success.  Individuals who have high levels of self- esteem are more likely to exceed in society and school.  Those with low self-esteem are more likely to perform poorly in school, use alcohol and drugs, and not adjust to the social and behavioral demands of society.

Accepting personal responsibility for one's actions is also recognized as being important in how an individual interacts with other members of society.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  A grant program is created to fund the development and implementation of self-image and personal responsibility curriculum.  The grant program shall be administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

School districts may apply for the grant money.  Applications shall include: information regarding steps the district proposes to take to develop staff and student self-image and personal responsibility; evidence of community support; a commitment to share the curriculum with one other district; and estimated costs of the district's proposed project.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO THE ORIGINAL:  An appropriation of $500,000 was deleted, and implementation of the grant program is made subject to an appropriation in the budget.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Basich; Tom Eiseman, Tumwater School District; Candy Curl, Department of Employment Security; Lynn Kessler, Youth 2000;  Tracy Ridout, Youth 2000;  Dennis Goir, Edge Learning Institute;  Bruce Cramer, Chamber of Commerce;  Jerry Thornton, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    A positive self-image is essential if one is to be successful in school and life.  In reviewing recommendations for educational reform, a majority of the recommendations involve improving the self-concept and self-esteem of students.  Schools could do substantially more in improving student self-esteem if teacher and staff training were available.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.