OLYMPIA — A bill to ensure Washington students are taught about the civil rights movement cleared the state Senate Tuesday.
Under Senate Bill 5174, school districts are encouraged but not required to conduct a program commemorating the history of civil rights in the United States at least once a year.
Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Edmonds, introduced the legislation on behalf of students of Madrona School in Edmonds.
She said members of the school’s Martin Luther King Club wrote and performed a play on the civil rights leader and learned afterward students in other schools had not spent any time learning about King’s life or the broader civil rights movement.
They proposed this bill as a step in making a change so all students get some instruction.
“Let the children know that civil rights are alive and well in our state and in our education institutions,” Chase said to colleagues before the vote.
The measure passed 47-0 as Madrona students watched from the Senate gallery. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for hearings and possible action.
The 2011 session is scheduled to end April 24.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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