STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3207

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 2495
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education and Technology, to which was
referred H.B. No. 2495, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to amend section 302A-1128,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, to allow the Board of Education to adopt
policies, instead of rules, to set progressive competencies for
computer technology and a language in addition to English.

     Testimony in support of the measure was received from the
Department of Education and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that currently, the Board defines
competency standards, for use of computer technology and for a
language in addition to English, through administrative rules
adopted pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  

     Your Committee agrees that allowing the Board to set
competency standards through policies is consistent with all
other performance standards and competencies required by
section 302A-201, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Additionally, this
measure would still provide the public the opportunity to testify
at Board meetings regarding the policy governing progressive
competencies.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Education and Technology that is attached to this

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3207
                                   Page 2


report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 2495, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second
Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

 
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