Moving the Education Agenda Forward
(Updated) June 20, 2007
The bills will be listed by areas: Education Reform, Early Education, Students, Administration, Facilities, Teachers, Community, and University of Hawaii. As the session progresses, we will also be informing you of important deadlines coming up.
For the most current information on the bills' status, we urge you visit the Legislature's website.
SB = Senate Bill HB = House Bill CD = Conference Draft
SD = Senate Draft HD = House Draft
EDUCATION REFORM
Education Omnibus Bill (SB 1933 SD 2) covers a wide range of areas: business managers for school complexes, applied learning academies, early education, mathematics textbooks.
Status: Included in the budget bill.
Weighted Student Formula Augmentation Bill (SB 1136 SD 2 HD1) provides additional money to help small and rural schools or schools with large numbers of transient or non-English speaking students.
Status: Included in the budget bill.
EARLY EDUCATION
Early Education (SB 613 SD 2 HD2 CD1) will clarify that the goal of the additional support for Jr. Kindergarten will enable them to be ready for 1st grade. The bill also requires the Department of Education identify unused public school land and facilities.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
STUDENTS/LEARNING
After School Program Bill will add funding to after school programs for children (K-6) and youths (grades 7-12).
Status: Included in the budget bill.
Workforce Development Bill (SB 1931 SD 2 HD3 CD2) would develop improved connection of the K-12 system to Hawaii's workforce realities and needs.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
Workforce Education Bill (SB 885 SD 2 HD 3 CD1) supports excellence in science, technology, engineering, and math through the University of Hawaii College of Engineering and our schools. It would establish a diversified workforce through programs that emphasize diversified agriculture, culinary arts, robotics, and business internships
Status: ACT 111.
Running Start for College Preparation ( HB 767 HD 2 SD 2 CD1) would provide scholarships that enable underrepresented students to take University of Hawaii classes and earn credit towards high school graduation.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
TEACHERS
Resources for School Complexes Bill ( HB 1014 HD 2 SD1 CD1) would provide funds for additional support to select school complexes and support of Teach For America.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
Education Assistant Career Ladder Bill ( SB 686 SD 1 HD1 CD1) would require the Department of Education to establish a career ladder program to provide professional training and salary supplements for educational assistants.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
Educator Loan Bill (HB 777 HD 2 SD2 CD1) will provide financial support for students who obtain a teaching degree and who agree to teach in Hawaii's public schools.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
Out-of-State Teacher License Reciprocity Bill (HB 25 HD1 SD 1) would require full license reciprocity with all other states.
Status: ACT 146.
FACILITIES
Repairs and Maintenance Bill (SB 1932 SD 2) would provide money to reduce the backlog of repairs in public schools and the University of Hawaii down to a manageable level within three years.
Status: Included in the budget bill. The Legislature appropriated $75 Million for R & M and $25 Million for electrical upgrades. This will provide money to reduce the backlog of repairs in public schools. This funding should enable the R & M backlog to fall close to $300 million.
School Impact Fees Bill (HB 19 HD2 SD2 CD 1) will establish a procedure for financing new or expanding school facilities when new residential subdivisions are planned.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
ADMINISTRATION
Drug Testing Bill (SB 96 SD 3) calls for reasonable suspicion for drug testing.
Status: The bill is "dead."
School Business Managers Bill would establish and fund business managers for each school complex.
Status: Included in the budget bill.
Information Infrastructure Bill (HB 595 HD2) would expand the Department of Education's computer system to enable schools to better track student performance, major and minor repairs, and financial management.
Status: Included in the budget bill.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
Charter School Review Panel (SB 603 SD 2 HD2 CD1) would expand the duties of the review panel.
Status: ACT 115.
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Candidate Advisory Council Bill (SB 14 SD 1) would establish a panel that would screen and propose candidates for appointment to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents.
Status: Legislature overrides Governor's veto May 1 --> ACT 56.
B Plus Scholarship Bill (HB 1528 HD2) would expand the B Plus program to allow more low-income students to get a college education.
Status: Included in the budget bill.
Nursing Workforce Development Bill (SB 91 SD 1) would address the nursing shortage crisis by: (1) hiring more nursing faculty at the University of Hawaii, (2) provide more nursing scholarships, and (3) expand teaching facilities.
Status: Included in the budget bill.
West Oahu College Bill (SB 616 SD 1) would provide money for the construction of the West Oahu College campus and create a West Oahu teacher education program.
Status: Included in the budget bill.
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HB 1003 HD3 SD2 CD1) would establish the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.
Academy for Creative Media Bill (SB 1922 SD 2 HD1 CD1) would expand the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii and establish MELE (Music and Enterprise Learning Experience) program at the Honolulu Community College.
Status: Enrolled to Governor.