Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2211, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Education to establish a tuition reimbursement program for graduates of a state-approved teacher training program who teach in the public schools for at least six years.

The measure also: establishes a ceiling on tuition reimbursement, up to a limit of the regular session tuition at the University of Hawaii for verifiable tuition expenses; makes the tuition reimbursement available only to graduates of Hawaii high schools; and stipulates that the tuition reimbursement cannot be used in conjunction with any other forms of tuition assistance (such as waivers or scholarships), except for the Hawaii Educator Loan Program.

Your Committee finds that the public school teacher shortage necessitates creative measures to encourage college students to enter the teaching profession and remain in the public school system after they graduate. Your Committee believes this measure will assist in the effort to recruit and retain experienced public school teachers.

Your Committee has amended the measure by:

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. 2211, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2211, S.D. 2.