Bill Text: HI SB876 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Education; Office of Hawaiian Education; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [SB876 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-SB876-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
876 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hawai‘i experienced a grassroots movement to revitalize the native Hawaiian culture, which also led to a growing demand for Hawai‘i-oriented courses in Hawai‘i's public schools and colleges.
At the same time, proponents of the movement acknowledged a risk of losing native knowledge of the Hawaiian culture, history, and language permanently, with many traditional kūpuna being of advanced age and rapidly dwindling in numbers. This prompted the 1978 constitutional convention to propose a Hawaiian education program that, upon approval by the voters, became article X, section 4, of the Hawaii State Constitution. Among other things, article X, section 4, requires the State to promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history, and language and provide for a Hawaiian education program consisting of culture, history, and language in the public schools. The legislature finds that Hawai‘i's public education system should embody Hawaiian values, culture, history, and language as a foundation to prepare students in grades kindergarten through twelve for success in college, their careers, and their local and global communities.
The legislature further finds that there are concerns that the Hawaiian education programs in the public schools lack long-range planning, structured curricula, and sufficient coordination and are not provided adequate resources in order to meet the purpose and intent of article X, section 4, of the Hawaii State Constitution.
The purpose of this Act is to create the office of Hawaiian education, to be placed within the office of the superintendent of education, for the purpose of providing instruction to public school students on Hawaiian culture, history, and language and coordinating Hawaiian education and Hawaiian language immersion programs in the public schools.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of education an office of Hawaiian education for the purpose of providing instruction to public school students on Hawaiian culture, history, and language. The office shall be placed within the office of the superintendent of education, and the head of the office shall be a member of the superintendent's leadership team with the title of assistant superintendent. The office shall have direct oversight and responsibility for:
(1) All components of the Hawaiian education program established pursuant to article X, section 4, of the state constitution;
(2) The Hawaiian language medium education program established pursuant to chapter 302H, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and
(3) Ka papahana kaiapuni.
The office may assist public charter schools governed by chapter 302D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in providing instruction to students on Hawaiian culture, history, and language if these topics are part of the charter school's curriculum.
(b) The department of education shall allocate resources, including personnel and fiscal support, to the office of Hawaiian education to create and implement appropriate curricula, standards, performance assessment tools, professional development, and strategies for community engagement throughout the department of education.
SECTION 3. Section 302A-630, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
"(d) In determining additional benefits for teachers, staff, and administrators in Hawaiian language medium education, the department, in consultation with the office of Hawaiian education established pursuant to Act , Session Laws of Hawaii 2015, may allow credit for practical experience."
SECTION 4. The department of education shall report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session on its compliance with this Act and board of education policies 2104 and 2105; provided that the report submitted to the legislature prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016 shall include a statutory audit of chapter 302H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and a determination, including any proposed legislation, as to whether the office of Hawaiian education established pursuant to section 2 of this Act should be codified in chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or chapter 302H, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawai‘i 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 establishment of the office of Hawaiian education and for the office to carry out its duties and functions pursuant to this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 5 shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Education; Office of Hawaiian Education; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the office of Hawaiian education within the department of education to provide instruction to public school students on Hawaiian culture, history, and language, pursuant to article X, section 4, of the state constitution. Requires the department of education to report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular legislative session regarding compliance with this Act. Appropriates funds.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
