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. 1364 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the University of Hawaii and Department of Education. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by a private citizen.

Your Committee finds that this measure will improve teacher's pedagogical skills, researching, and administrative abilities which would in turn improve the quality of the instruction and increase achievements and success of students in the classroom. Your Committee also finds that this measure will assist teachers in keeping up with the rapidly expanding knowledge base in education and the many increasing demands being placed upon them to serve a more diverse student population.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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. 1364, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1364, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.