Appropriates funds for tuition reimbursement for department of education teachers who pursue continuing education for professional development. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in order to adequately teach our children as they prepare for life in the twenty-first century, Hawaii’s public school teachers must keep up with emerging trends and be on the cutting edge of new knowledge and teaching techniques. To effectively meet these challenges, teachers must be encouraged to grow and develop professionally.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for reimbursement to resident department of education teachers who pursue professional development coursework approved by the department of education at either the University of Hawaii system or at another accredited institution of higher education approved by the department of education.

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

"§3O2A- Educational incentive program; tuition. There is established a teacher incentive program in the form of a reimbursement of fees paid for tuition, textbooks, and other related costs by Hawaii resident public school teachers who pursue professional development coursework approved by the department of education at the University of Hawaii system or an accredited college or university approved by the department of education. The department of education shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 necessary for the implementation of this section."

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, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, to pay for necessary textbooks and fees for Hawaii resident department of education teachers pursuing preapproved professional development coursework, and to reimburse tuition to those Hawaii resident teachers pursuing such coursework at accredited institutions of higher education approved by the department of education or at the University of Hawaii system.

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.