PTA Legislative Issue

In June, 2004, members of the Washington State Coalition for International Education submitted a legislative issue to the Washington State PTA. The PTA approved our issue and it went to the PTA Legislative Assembly in Yakima October 15-16, 2004  for debate and voting as a priority issue. While this issue did not get voted into the top priority issues for PTA this year, it was a good opportunity to introduce the issue to the PTA membership. Our thanks to Paul Aoki for representing the Coalition at the Legislative Assembly.

Title: International Education for All Children

Text: The Washington State PTA shall initiate and/or support legislation or policies that prepare all Washington students for today's interconnected world by providing opportunities for teachers and students to engage in global issues and the study of world languages in addition to English and to learn about other regions and cultures represented in our communities and around the world.

Background:  As citizens of Washington State, we are all participants in a globally interdependent world through our cultures, our government, and our economies. From our smallest rural farms to our largest cities, the quality our lives is impacted by global events. Our ability as citizens to build better and secure lives locally, regionally and nationally depends on our commitment to understand and connect with the world. Washington has long considered education its "paramount duty." It is time for parents, educators, and our political leadership to support the meaningful teaching and learning about the world at all levels of education in order to have a globally competent citizenry. To do this, all students need opportunities for rigorous international study and experience through Social Studies (including Civics, Economics, Geography, History, Cultures of the World), Math and Science, and World Languages. Washington is a gateway to the Pacific Rim, yet our state is one of the few where students can graduate from high school without every having studied language besides English. Washington State is one of the most trade-dependent states in the country with 1 in 3 jobs impacted by international trade. We are in a time of crisis, when school districts continue to make cuts in Social Studies and Languages that we cannot afford. We are in a time of strategic opportunity, when we can choose to revitalize education by prioritizing global competencies and thereby ensuring a more well-rounded and internationally engaged citizenry.

See text from PTA Legislative Issues Booklet (PDF) page 13.

Current Supporters:

Organizations:

• Associates in Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.) (David Woodward)
• Dialogue Project of UW CHID (Comparative History of Ideas)
• Facing the Future: People and the Planet (Kim Rakow Bernier)
• Garfield High School PTSA, Seattle (voted September 13, 2004)
• International Exchange and Resource Network (iEARN) (Kristi Rennebohm Franz)
• New Horizons for Learning (Dee Dickinson)
• Washington State Coalition for International Education
• Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center (Ilana Cone Kennedy, Education Outreach Coordinator ikennedy@wsherc.org)
• World Affairs Council (Ian Moncaster, Michele Anciaux Aoki)

PTA members:

• Jennifer Geist, Salmon Bay PTSA, Seattle
• Michele Anciaux Aoki, Garfield High School PTSA, Seattle
• Natalya Aoki, Garfield High School PTSA, Seattle
• Paul Aoki, Garfield High School PTSA, Seattle
• Kaisa Swenddal-White, Jason Lee Middle School, PTA Tacoma
• Ken White, Jason Lee Middle School, PTA Tacoma
• Bridget Yaden, Washington-Hoyt Elementary in Tacoma School District

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