STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1168

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 1749
                                        H.D. 2
                                        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 H.B. No. 1749, H.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to enhance geography
competence in schools statewide by incorporating the national
geography standards into the Hawaii Content and Performance
Standards.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the
University of Hawaii, the Department of Education, the Hawaii
State Teachers Association, the Hawaii Geographic Alliance, the
National Geographic Society, Maunawili Elementary School, the
Tropical Reforestation and Ecosystems Education Center, and many
concerned individuals, teachers, and geography professionals.

     Your Committee finds that the geographic literacy of
Hawaii's children is important to the State's future.  It is the
foundation upon which to base the intelligent direction of how
Hawaii is to interact with the rest of the world's economy.  This
measure appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii, College
of Social Sciences, Geography Department, to train and develop
educators to promote the local implementation of the national
geography standards.

     Your Committee has amended this measure to:

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1168
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     (1)  Require the University of Hawaii to assist the
          Department of Education in incorporating the national
          geography standards into the Hawaii Content and
          Performance Standards;

     (2)  Delete the appropriation amount for the purposes of
          continued discussion; and

     (3)  Make technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes
          of style and clarity.

     It is the intent of your Committee that the University of
Hawaii and the Department of Education coordinate an
implementation plan for this measure before any funds are
appropriated.  This will ensure that appropriated funds will be
spent effectively.

     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 H.B. No. 1749, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that
it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B.
No. 1749, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Education and
                                   Technology,



                                   ______________________________
                                   DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

 
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