STAND. COM. REP. NO. 120

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 1278
                                        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. 1278 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish alternative
education options for students who are expelled, suspended, or
cause chronic disruption to the educational process.  This
measure also appropriates $90,000 to fund initial private
provider contracts to establish alternative education options on
nine sites across the State.

     Testimony is support of this measure was submitted by the
Office of Youth Services.  Testimony in support of the intent of
this measure was submitted by the Department of Education, the
Hawaii State Teachers Association, and the Hawaii State Parents,
Teachers, and Students Association.

     The main concern of the testifiers was that this measure
makes no requirements for the provision of sound instruction in
the alternative education options.  The Department of Education
recommended an amendment to mandate that the private contracted
providers provide sound instruction aligned with the Hawaii
Content and Performance Standards.  In addition, the Department
recommended an amendment to make contracting with a private
provider an option, but not an exclusive requirement, as there
are already alternatives within the public school system that can
also provide these services.

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 120
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     Your Committee agrees with the amendments proposed by the
Department of Education, and finds that the revised version of
this measure will provide schools with an option of substitute
educational opportunities for expelled students or for students
who are on long-term suspension, thereby making school campuses
safer for other students and staff.  Furthermore, this measure
with these proposed amendments will guarantee that students who
partake of these substitute educational options will be provided
sound instructional support.  

     Your Committee has amended this measure to reflect the
recommended changes from the Department of Education.  Your
Committee has also made technical, nonsubstantive changes to
reflect preferred drafting style.

     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. 1278, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass
Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1278,
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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