Statutorily establishes the Hawaiian language immersion program (program). Appropriates funds for the program and to create the office of Hawaiian language immersion instruction within the department of education.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an instructional program in which children are taught the content of the regular education program through the medium of the Hawaiian language is vital for revitalizing the Hawaiian language. Such an instructional program would also help promote, strengthen, and maintain the Hawaiian language.

The purpose of this Act is to statutorily establish the Hawaiian language immersion program to enable its full implementation and to provide funds for this purpose.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

§ -1 Hawaiian language immersion program; established. (a) There is established the Hawaiian language immersion program within the department of education for administrative purposes to provide students a complete educational program or schooling experience in the medium of the Hawaiian language. The educational objectives of the Hawaiian language immersion program shall be the same as that of the regular English language program. Students in the Hawaiian language immersion program shall receive a minimum of one hour daily of direct instruction in the English language, beginning at grade five.

(b) The department of education shall create a separate office of Hawaiian language immersion instruction for the direction and control of the program.

§ -2 Attendance and eligibility. (a) All Hawaiian-speaking children of compulsory school age shall be given preference for admittance into the Hawaiian language immersion program, regardless of their place of residence within the State; provided that the family abide by special rules of the program relative to family participation, scheduling differences, and cultural features as well as other rules and policies adopted by the board of education and the department of education.

(b) Other persons may enroll at the discretion of individual school sites under the conditions described under this section, and subject to state and federal laws; provided that enrollment of non-fluent Hawaiian-speaking children shall not jeopardize the provision of education in a totally Hawaiian-speaking environment to Hawaiian-speaking children.

§ -3 Office of Hawaiian language immersion instruction; personnel. (a) The department of education shall employ necessary personnel who are qualified by training and experience to direct and supervise the types of instruction and special services specified under this chapter.

(b) The University of Hawaii shall work collaboratively with the department of education to ensure that teachers in the Hawaiian language immersion program are proficient in the Hawaiian language, skilled in teaching methodologies and strategies, and possess content knowledge.

§ -4 Facilities and transportation. (a) When fifteen or more qualified children in any one departmental school district are interested in enrolling in the Hawaiian language immersion program, the department of education shall provide facilities for a Hawaiian language immersion program or shall provide transportation to the nearest schooling site that provides the program, whichever the department deems more feasible.

(b) The department of education shall establish collaborative partnerships with other agencies, organizations, and foundations to provide alternate facilities and transportation.

§ -5 Student performance. The department of education shall develop and use multiple assessment strategies and instruments to assess student achievement and performance, and evaluate the effectiveness of teaching strategies and methods being used in the Hawaiian language immersion program."

SECTION 3. Section 302A-630, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§302A-630[]] Teachers with special assignments, vocational agriculture, Hawaiian language immersion, and technical school teachers. Teachers with special assignments, where their responsibilities are greater, may be provided additional benefits by the department. In determining additional benefits for vocational agriculture, Hawaiian language immersion, and technical school teachers, the department may allow credit for practical experience."

SECTION 4. Section 302A-1128, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The department shall have entire charge and control and be responsible for the conduct of all affairs pertaining to public instruction. The department may establish and maintain schools for secular instruction at such places and for such terms as in its discretion it may deem advisable and the funds at its disposal may permit. The schools may include high schools, kindergarten schools, schools or classes for pregrade education, Hawaiian language immersion schools, boarding schools, and evening and day schools. The department may also maintain classes for technical and other instruction in any school where there may not be pupils sufficient in number to justify the establishment of separate schools for these purposes."

SECTION 5. Section 302A-1143, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§302A-1143[]] Attend school in what district. All persons of school age shall be required to attend the school of the district in which they reside, unless enrolled in a Hawaiian language immersion program or it appears to the department to be desirable to allow the attendance of pupils at a school in some other district, in which case the department may grant this permission."

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for the Hawaiian language immersion program and to create the office of Hawaiian language immersion instruction within the department of education.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are severable.

SECTION 8. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 6 shall take effect on July 1, 2001.