Bill Text: HI HB358 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Education Reform; Leeward Coast Schools; Pilot Project; Department of Education; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-01-26 - Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 1 [HB358 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-HB358-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	358
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, according to the State of Hawaii department of education, nearly twenty-six per cent of Nanakuli high school students and more than twenty-seven per cent of Waianae high school students fail to graduate within four years.

     The legislature further finds that, according to a 2008 report from the bipartisan organization Fight Crime, approximately sixty-eight per cent of people who do not graduate from high school are eventually incarcerated.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish the Leeward coast educational renewal pilot project to quickly implement educational reform for schools on the Leeward coast that have a history of poor academic performance.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of education shall establish the Leeward coast educational renewal pilot project pursuant to this Act.

 

     (b)  The pilot project shall be implemented by a working group.  The department of education shall invite the following to become members of the working group:

     (1)  A representative of the department of education;

     (2)  A representative of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs;

     (3)  A representative of the Friends of Hawaii Charities;

     (4)  A representative of the Kamehameha Schools;

     (5)  A representative of the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation;

     (6)  A community leader; and

     (7)  Other individuals and representatives from other organizations as determined by the working group.

     (c)  The working group may:

     (1)  Implement the Berman report recommendations regarding education methodology for Leeward coast schools or may implement other core curriculum;

     (2)  Construct a vocational-technical school by partnering with unions and other organizations to provide continuing career education, including careers in plumbing, carpentry, agriculture, cosmetology, and automobile repair; and

     (3)  Request funds from private and government organizations including Kamehameha Schools and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     (d)  The working group shall elect one of its members to serve as the chair.

     (e)  The working group shall be administratively attached to the department of education, which shall provide support staff for the working group.

     (f)  Members of the working group shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred during the performance of their duties.

     (g)  The working group shall submit an interim report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016, and shall submit a final report with its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     (h)  The working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2017.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the Leeward coast educational renewal pilot project.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Education Reform; Leeward Coast Schools; Pilot Project; Department of Education; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Leeward coast educational renewal pilot project to quickly implement educational reform for schools on the Leeward coast.  Appropriates funds for the pilot project.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.