Bill Text: HI SB298 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Schools.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB298 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB298-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
298 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 2 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that despite having a high school graduation rate of eighty-one per cent, only fifty-six per cent of Hawaii's public school graduates continued on to post-secondary education in 2015. The legislature further finds that high school students in Hawaii would benefit from precisely aligning curriculum to workforce readiness, which depends upon close collaboration between the public school system, a community college, and one or more industry employers near the school complex to ensure they receive the industry-based skills and certification required for employment after graduation and to live, learn, work, and play in the community.
The legislature additionally finds that collaboration between educators and industry will enable students to graduate from high school with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate's degree. Students may also earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate's degree. The legislature also finds that similar models recently established in Connecticut, Illinois, and New York are showing promise in graduating more high school students with career-ready skills to meet an industry's workforce needs.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a workforce readiness program within the department of education.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Workforce readiness program; establishment. (a) There is established within the department a workforce readiness program.
(b) The department shall designate schools to participate in the program.
(c) Workforce readiness program schools shall:
(1) Include grades nine through twelve;
(2) Be schools with qualified courses under the dual
credit program established pursuant to section 302A-
401;
(3) Enable students to graduate with a high school diploma
and an industry-recognized associate's degree;
(4) Give students opportunities to earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate's degree; and
(5) Integrate high school courses, college courses, and certificate or license programs that are based on current and projected industry standards and focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with mentoring, job shadowing, internships, pre-apprenticeship training, and other workplace education experiences throughout grades nine through twelve.
(d) The department shall coordinate with the University of Hawaii and the department of labor and industrial relations and enter into contracts with industry employers near the school complex as required to develop and implement the workforce readiness program.
(e) The department shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 to carry out the purposes of this section."
SECTION 3. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§304A- Workforce readiness program; coordination; contracts. The University of Hawaii shall coordinate with the department of education and the department of labor and industrial relations to develop and implement the workforce readiness program established under section 302A- . The department of education shall enter into contracts with industry employers near the school complex as required to develop and implement the workforce readiness program."
SECTION 4. 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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purposes of this Act, including the hiring of full-time equivalent ( .00 FTE) positions.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112; provided that section 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2112.
Report Title:
Workforce Readiness School Program; Department of Education; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a Workforce Readiness Program within the Department of Education to allow students to graduate from an extended high school enrollment with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate's degree. Appropriates moneys to develop and implement the program. (SB298 HD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
