Washington Administrative Code › Title 181 - Professional Educator Standards Board › Chapter 181-78A - Approval standards for performance-based preparation programs for teachers, administrators, and educational staff associates › PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS - PROGRAM APPROVAL STANDARD - SPECIFIC - KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS › Section 181-78A-700 - First peoples' language, culture, and oral tribal traditions certification program - Findings, purposes and intent - Definitions - Program established - Tribal eligibility to participate - Program requirements - Assignment of teachers - Reports

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1)
FINDINGS.
The professional educator standards board endorses the
				following:
(a) Teaching first peoples'
				languages can be a critical factor in successful educational experiences and
				promoting cultural sensitivity for all students. The effect is particularly
				strong for native American students;
(b) First peoples' languages are falling
				silent. Despite tribal efforts, first peoples' languages are not fully
				incorporated into the school systems. This is a loss to the cultural heritage
				of the affected tribes and to the cultural resources of Washington
				state;
(c) Recognition of native
				American languages under
				RCW
				   28A.230.090(3) and
				28B.80.350(2), as satisfying state or local graduation requirements and minimum
				college admission requirements, while concentrating on promoting a positive
				impact on student learning through state policies, is insufficient to meet the
				educational needs of native American students;
(d) The potential to have a positive impact
				on student learning is in part dependent on the willingness of the local
				education agency to collaborate with the sovereign tribal government's
				language/culture program;
(e) It is
				within the statutory authority of the professional educator standards board to
				enhance the learning opportunities for all students by helping prevent the loss
				of first peoples' languages through assisting the state's sovereign neighbors
				to sustain, maintain or recover their linguistic heritage, history and
				culture;
(f) From the Multi-Ethnic
				Think Tank position statement, June 2001:
(i)
				"...A culturally inclusive pedagogy will ensure the success of all students,
				who will develop greater appreciation of other cultures and
				worldviews;"
(ii) "All students
				have prior experiences that frame their worldview; learn from childbirth and
				are lifelong learners; can academically achieve at high levels when they are
				appropriately taught; and are entitled to learn in a multicultural
				context;"
(g) Research
				has shown that students who study another language may benefit in the following
				ways: Greater academic success in other areas of study, including reading,
				social studies, and mathematics; a clearer understanding of the English
				language including function, vocabulary and syntax; and an increase on
				standardized test scores, especially in verbal areas;
(h) From the Native American Languages Act,
				Public Law
				101-477,
				Section
				102, 1990 :
(i) "The traditional languages of Native
				Americans are an integral part of their cultures and identities and form the
				basic medium for the transmission, and thus survival, of Native American
				cultures, literatures, histories, religions, political institutions, and
				values;"
(ii) "Languages are the
				means of communication for the full range of human experiences and are critical
				to the survival of cultural and political integrity of any people";
				and
(i) There are many
				sovereign tribal nations in the state of Washington and they serve the needs of
				many groups of first peoples, each possessing unique languages, cultures and
				worldviews.