HB9

Report Title:

E-schools; E-academies

Description:

Appropriates funds to the DOE to expand the E-academy concept to all public high schools, and establish E-academies in selected public elementary and middle schools and in selected new century charter schools.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	9
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that increased computer education is critical to raising the level of student expectation and performance requirements. According to a recently published Newsweek magazine report, however, only one-third of Hawaii's public schools are at or below the national average of 5.7 students per computer.

The United States Department of Commerce predicts that electronic commerce in America will grow to $1,300,000,000,000 by 2003 and that the shortage of trained technology workers wil1 reach 1,300,000 jobs by 2006. Hawaii’s geographic location serves as a bridge to Asian and Pacific markets, provides a unique opportunity for the development of telecommunications and technology industries, and highlights the need to create a workforce that can support high technology industries.

A recent study found that:

(1) The use of technology can make learning more student-centered and increase student-teacher interaction;

(2) Computer-based learning leads to greater cooperation, sharing, and helping behavior, which—in turn—prepares students for an economy that values and requires teamwork.

Competition in a global marketplace requires the development of technology, innovative ideas, and critical thinking skills in order to effectively prepare Hawaii's public school students for the twenty-first century. The future success of Hawaii’s public school students will be influenced by their ability to leverage technological learning through computers and the internet.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of education shall:

(1) Expand the E-academy concept to all public high schools in the State;

(2) Establish E-academies in selected public elementary and middle schools in each departmental school district;

(3) Establish E-academies in selected new century charter schools in each departmental school district;

(4) Develop new challenging grade-appropriate school courses in math, science, and technology content areas and include the new courses in the authorized course code and number (ACCN) guide; and

(5) Provide an innovative training program for E-academy teachers, and conduct ongoing instructional assessment activities.

(b) In carrying out the duties of this section, the department of education shall seek and may utilize any available funding sources, including grants and private donations.

(c) As used in this Act, "E-academy" means a virtual, site-based school-within-a-school that provides students with industry and academic standards-based instruction and assessments in technology, science, math, and engineering.

SECTION 3. 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, to expand the E-academy concept to all public high schools in the State.

SECTION 4. 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, to establish E-academies in selected public elementary and middle schools in each departmental school district.

SECTION 5. 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, to establish E-academies in selected new century charter schools in each departmental school district.

SECTION 6. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________