STAND. COM. REP. NO. 340

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 1501
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education and Technology, to which was
referred S.B. No. 1501 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require that the
Department of Education enter into agreements with qualified,
private, nonprofit corporations to construct, manage, and operate
a pilot charter school.  

     This measure further requires the planning, design,
construction, and equipping of, and the acquisition of lands for,
the charter school to be done at no cost to the State.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the
South Maui Learning Ohana, and two concerned individuals.  The
Department of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association
submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure.
Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the
Hawaii Government Employees Association and the United Public
Workers.

     Your Committee finds that the idea of allowing schools
greater autonomy and flexibility is reflected in many measures
introduced this session.  This measure, along with S.B. No. 1277,
S.B. No. 1318, and S.B. No. 1233, all relate to the formation of
alternate educational programs and schools independent from the
governance of the board of education.  Although these measures

 
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all reflect the same idea, they have many different and confusing
names:  student-centered schools, charter schools, and new
century schools.  Your Committee believes combining the main
issues of these four measures together will increase the
effectiveness of and prevent confusion on this important concept. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by replacing its
contents with provisions:

     (1)  Designating student-centered schools henceforth as "new
          century schools", and defining new century schools as
          those school implementating alternative frameworks with
          regard to curriculum; facilities management;
          instructional approach; length of school day, week, or
          year; and personnel management;

     (2)  Adding a new part to chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised
          Statutes, that will dictate a process by which an
          existing public school, or a new school may become a
          new century school, including petitioning to the
          Governor as an alternative to the current formation of
          student-centered schools.  The program requirements and
          exemptions of these new century schools are also
          established; and

     (3)  Repealing the sections in chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised
          Statutes, which deal with student-centered schools.

     Although the overarching theme of autonomy at the school
level is consistent with all the measures incorporated, the
coordination of the provisions of these measures is complicated
and not straightforward.  Thus, to prevent any possible
misunderstandings or repercussions, your Committee encourages
further discussion when this measure is heard in the Committee on
Ways and Means.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Education and Technology that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of S.B. No. 1501, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass
Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1501,
S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 340
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                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Education and
                                   Technology,



                                   ______________________________
                                   DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

 
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