Advocacy Email - January 28, 2006

Subject:  Bills possibly related to World Languages

To: International Education Advocates

The Washington State Coalition for International Education has been following several education bills this session that may impact World Languages. I gave testimony on HB 2706 in Olympia on January 26. If you are interested in becoming more involved in this specific issue, please contact me michele@anciauxinternational.com for specific action items.

-- Michele Anciaux Aoki, Ph.D., Washington State Coalition for International Education

 

House Bill 2706 - Rigorous Curriculum in High Schools
updated 1/25/2006

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2706
Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, Sommers, Tom, Anderson, Talcott, Quall, McIntire, Dunn, Green, Kenney, Lantz

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that, although students are being expected to meet higher academic standards as defined by the essential academic learning requirements, there is still a gap between what is required for high school graduation and the knowledge and skills students need to be successful in college or work. This gap has been confirmed by independent analysis by such organizations as Achieve. To assure that a high school diploma reflects adequate preparation for the intellectual demands of adult life, the legislature intends to create the expectation that all students enroll in a recommended high school program that includes a rigorous curriculum of study in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and an academic or career and technical concentration.

Several members of the Coalition have provided testimony on this bill and the importance of including World Languages. In general, they are supportive of the greater rigor of these "recommended" high school graduation requirements. The concern is that the bill, in its current draft, does not mention any requirement for world languages although there is a university admissions requirement of two years of a world language. This seems to be an oversight. We are hopeful that the House Education Committee will agree to add a line specifying:

(g) At least two credits (or equivalent proficiency) in a language other than English

 

House Bill 1970 - Revisit in 2006

The Coalition is looking into the possibility of renewed interest in supporting this bill from 2003:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1970&year=2003.
Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Cox, Talcott, Anderson, Veloria, Skinner, McDermott, Sullivan, Kagi, Quall, Haigh

The legislature intends to increase the attention of the K-12 system on the importance of world language instruction by reestablishing the position of world language specialist at the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

 

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Washington State Coalition for International Education
http://internationaledwa.org
http://internationaledwa.org/involved/advocacy.htm
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