STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3137

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.C.R. No. 58
                                        S.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 S.C.R. No. 58 entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF
     A SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM FOR HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative
Reference Bureau (LRB) to review various school choice programs
nationwide and to design a school choice program for Hawaii.

     The Department of Education submitted testimony agreeing
with the intent of the measure, concurring that choice within
public schools can be an effective stimulus for change, but
expressing uncertainty of school choice as the best way to
improve the overall public school system.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii public schools should
provide the best education possible for Hawaii students by using
the resources available to them in the most efficient and
effective manner possible.  School choice programs provide
alternatives to the current public school system.  They generally
provide freedom and flexibility for parents to help their
children find the educational program most suitable for them.  At
the same time, school choice would increase the efficiency of
public schools by allowing them to organize themselves to attract
students, families, and resources to the schools.


 
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     Your Committee agrees that developing a school choice
program for Hawaii would provide an opportunity for every child
in Hawaii to obtain a decent education and allow families options
to meet their educational goals for their children.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee amended the
measure to require the LRB to submit its report no later than 60
days before the Regular Session of 2001.  A technical,
nonsubstantive amendment was made to reflect proper drafting.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of
S.C.R. No. 58, as amended herein, and recommends that it be
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached
hereto as S.C.R. No. 58, S.D. 1.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

 
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