Report Title:
Adult & Community Education
Description:
Abolishes the community education component of the DOE's adult and community education program. Refocuses the adult education program on helping persons to obtain the general equivalent of a high school diploma or to become naturalized citizens. Abolishes the advisory council for adult and community education.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1435 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The adult education program was authorized over fifty years ago in order to meet the needs of Hawaii's adult population. Since the passage of this legislation, the size and composition of Hawaii's population has changed dramatically, and the availability and quality of lower education programs in the islands has improved to meet the basic educational needs of the people. The State is entering the new century with a recognition that government provision of goods and services is appropriately limited to those goods and services that will not be provided by the market. Particularly during times of economic stagnation or low growth, state support must be limited to ensuring that the core functions of government take precedence over programs that are desirable, but not necessary. Furthermore, the legislature recognizes that government provision of otherwise marketable services inhibits the growth and diversity of our economy.
The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to focus its adult education program on providing adults and students excepted from compulsory attendance with a high school equivalent education, and providing naturalization training to enable immigrants to become United States citizens.
SECTION 2. Section 302A-432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows: "[[]§302A-432[]] Adult [and community] education authorized. [To provide increased opportunity for the people of Hawaii, the] The department shall establish and regulate a program of adult [and community] education of less than college grade. The department shall provide public school buildings and other facilities, and use public school equipment under conditions determined by the department, when the equipment is needed, for adult [and community] education programs."
SECTION 3. Section 302A-433, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§302A-433[]] Scope of adult [and community] education programs offered. As rapidly as resources are available and interest is developed, instructional programs shall be initiated in the following [fields:] areas:
(1) Basic elementary education. [A foundation] For the purposes of this section, "basic elementary education" means a program in reading and speaking English, writing, and arithmetic for persons with no schooling or only primary grade training[;]. The purpose of basic elementary education shall be to prepare persons for advanced elementary education or for naturalization training;
(2) Advanced elementary education. [A] For the purposes of this section, "advanced elementary education" means a program [in advanced elementary] of education for [those] persons who have completed four to eight years of schooling and who desire to obtain more complete mastery of the fundamentals[;]. The purpose of advanced elementary education shall be to prepare persons for secondary education or for naturalization training;
(3) Secondary education. [A] For the purposes of this section, "secondary education" means a program of [secondary] education for [those adults]:
(A) Adults who, [in youth,] as youths, left school or for some reason had their education curtailed and who now desire to [continue their education; for those youths] obtain the general equivalent of a high school diploma;
(B) Youths who have been excepted from compulsory attendance under section 302A-1132; and [for those youths]
(C) Youths who are in need of courses to complete their high school graduation requirements;
[(4) Adult literacy education. A basic program in reading and writing English, and arithmetic for persons who need to develop or improve their mastery of basic literacy skills in these areas for purposes of enhancing their personal, social, or employment lives;
(5) Homemaking and parent education. A program in homemaking and parent education for all those parents and other adults who desire training in family life, including child care, nursing, budgeting, and other instruction basic to homemaking;
(6) Community education. A program to facilitate understanding and enlightenment in civic duties, responsibilities, and obligations for all persons who desire to keep pace with today's community, national, and world developments and who realize the necessity of continuing study for the adequate fulfillment of their civic functions. Community education addresses responsibilities within a given community, especially concerns related to education and the schools, and offers additional services to supplement and enrich the educational program of in-school children and youths;] and
[(7)] (4) Naturalization training. [The] For the purposes of this section, "naturalization training" means the standard course of training provided by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, which shall be provided to all [those] persons who have filed applications for United States citizenship and who desire to enroll in such a course under the supervision of the department[; and
(8) Cultural opportunities. A program of adult and community education that will meet the interests and desires of those people who wish to enrich and to broaden their cultural, recreational, and social interests]."
SECTION 4. Section 302A-435, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§302A-435[]] Financing adult [and community] education program. The financial support for [this] the adult education program shall be [in part] primarily from fees collected from students enrolled, and [in part] partially from public funds appropriated for this purpose. Fees shall be set [in accordance with the recommendations of the advisory council,] by the board and may be collected from students regularly enrolled; provided that:
(1) Adults registered with the department of labor and industrial relations and unemployed shall be granted free enrollment in [such] courses [as] that will [tend to] assist these persons in [securing employment;] obtaining the general equivalent of a high school diploma or becoming naturalized citizens;
(2) Adults certified by the department of human services as indigent may be enrolled on a nonfee basis in [classes] courses that will [tend to] assist these persons in [becoming self-sustaining;] obtaining the general equivalent of a high school diploma or becoming naturalized citizens;
(3) Discharged veterans who are entitled to federal educational assistance shall be enrolled upon authorization of the Department of Veterans Affairs and fees shall be charged against federal funds in accordance with Department of Veterans Affairs contract regulations; and
(4) Administrative and supervisory costs, costs of instruction, and all other necessary expenses not covered by fees and other authorized charges shall be paid for out of funds appropriated for this purpose."
SECTION 5. Section 302A-434, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.
["[§302A-434] Advisory council for adult and community education. The board shall appoint an advisory council for adult and community education composed of fifteen or more representatives of industry, labor, civic organizations, and education. Appointments shall be for a term of two years with reappointments optional but not to exceed a total of six years on the advisory council."]
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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