The Washington State Coalition for International Education serves as a clearinghouse for information about legislative action related to the Coalition's goals:
- The integration of international perspectives into the P-20 curricula.
- The expansion of world language education, with an emphasis on early childhood education and improving second language proficiency outcomes.
- The encouragement of all forms of international exchanges.
* Note: The development of cross-cultural skills and competence is an expectation that is subsumed within all three goals.
2008 WSPTA Legislative Issue
John Stanford International School PTA has resubmitted the World Language and International Competency issue for the 2008 PTA Legislative Assembly. Download the 2008 Issue (Word).
Updates from 2008 Legislative Session
* House Bill 2523 - Creating the position of world language supervisor in the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2523
Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins,
Schual-Berke,
Hasegawa,
Roberts,
Goodman,
Kenney,
Santos,
Chase
Creates the position of world language supervisor in the
office of the superintendent of public instruction.
Final Status: It did not pass out of the Senate, but funding for the World Language Supervisor was included in the State Budget.
* Senate Bill 6466 - Creating a task force to study teaching Spanish and Chinese in public schools.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6466
Sponsors: Senators Roach,
Tom,
Rasmussen,
McAuliffe,
Hobbs,
Stevens,
Delvin,
Shin,
Carrell
Creates a task force to conduct an inventory of Spanish and Chinese language programs, curricula, supplementary materials, and professional development initiatives currently used in Washington.
Final Status: It did not pass.
* SB 5714 - 2007-08 Creating a pilot program of Spanish and Chinese language instruction.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5714&year=2008
Sponsors: Senators Roach,
Prentice,
Rasmussen,
Oemig,
Clements,
Rockefeller,
Tom,
Fairley,
Hobbs,
Shin,
Swecker,
Holmquist,
Benton,
Stevens,
Parlette,
Delvin,
Kline
Establishes a pilot program of Spanish and Chinese language instruction. Provides that, beginning in June 2009 and continuing for the life of the pilot program, the superintendent of public instruction shall submit an annual report to the governor and the legislature that summarizes the pilot program and its effectiveness. The report shall also include a recommendation as to whether or not the pilot program should be continued, expanded, or otherwise modified.
Final Status in 2008: It did not pass out of the House, but funding for the pilot programs was included in the State Budget. It was vetoed by Governor Gregoire due to lack of sustainability.
To review past years' information, visit the Advocacy Archive.
College Readiness in the Arts, Social Studies, and World Languages
The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) published a policy brief relating to college readiness in the arts, social studies, and world languages in December, 2006. You can download a copy at:
http://www.hecb.wa.gov/boardmtgs/documents/
TAB07BCollegeReadinessPolicyBrief12-06ps.pdf (PDF)
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Making the Public Case for International Education
PPT
(Powerpoint 1.3 MB, opens in new window)
This presentation reports cutting edge findings from
FrameWorks Institute's
recent survey and focus group research on how Americans view
international education. This work was conducted for Asia Society in
partnership with the American Forum for Global Education and supported
by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
U.S. Global Leadership
Select Take Action from the left navigation menu.
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for your elected officials.