Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2283, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prepare children to succeed in school by establishing a statutory definition of "school readiness".

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Education, Good Beginnings Alliance (GBA), Good Beginnings Oahu County Council, Kauai Good Beginnings Council, Kamehameha Schools, and a concerned citizen testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health supported the intent of this bill.

The GBA and other private and nonprofit agencies are committed to the goal that all of Hawaii's children be safe, healthy, and ready to succeed. Your Committee finds that incorporating the critical factors of a child's development characteristics, school practices, and family and community support in the definition of "school readiness" focuses the work necessary to ensure the attainment of this goal.

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. 2283, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.