Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1215 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow the Department of Education to rehire retired teachers in areas of Hawaii where there is a teacher shortage.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and the Hawaii Business Roundtable.

Your Committee finds that this measure encourages retired teachers to continue to teach in order to help meet the State's growing teacher shortage. The benefits of their experience will not only help this shortage, but will add value to the classroom. This measure also allows retired teachers to return as mentors for their peers. Studies have shown that peer mentoring by experienced, qualified teachers is probably the most effective way to induct new teachers and to encourage them to remain teachers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by requiring that a retiree be retired for at least two calendar years before being rehired for full-time employment. A retired teacher may qualify for mentoring or part-time teaching immediately upon retirement.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1215, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1215, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.