SB1212 SD1 SSCR659

STAND. COM. REP. NO.659

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1212

S.D. 1

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1212, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to education,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board permanent, and to transfer teacher licensing and credentialing from the Department of Education to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.

In addition, this measure:

(1) Expands the membership of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to include two more licensed teachers, the Superintendent of Education or the Superintendent's designee, and a representative of independent schools;

(2) Prohibits the appointed members of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (i.e., those members not serving in an ex officio capacity) from serving more than three consecutive three-year terms;

(3) Replaces "credentials" (i.e., emergency or temporary documents signifying the grant of permission to practice the profession of teaching) with "permits", beginning July 1, 2002;

(4) Allows the Department of Education, only in emergency situations and on a case-by-case basis, to hire unlicensed individuals, including teachers not licensed in their fields, on a year-to-year basis;

(5) Makes the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board responsible for approving teacher education programs, and allows it to participate in efforts relating to issues affecting teacher quality; and

(6) Appropriates funds to set up and support the technological and personnel infrastructure needed to conduct the licensing and renewal functions of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1212, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

		____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair