Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the corporation designated under Act 77, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997, relating to early childhood education and care, to jointly submit with the interdepartmental council in their annual report to the Governor and the legislature, a description of the progress achieved in school readiness efforts.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Office of the Governor, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu Community College, Good Beginnings Alliance, Maui County Good Beginnings Community Council, Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture, Hoowaiwai Na Kamalii, Childcare Business Coalition, Hawaii Association for the Education of Young Children, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii Community Foundation, Hawaii Kids Watch, and a private individual.

This measure is intended to enhance the efforts of the Good Beginnings Alliance to develop policy recommendations concerning all aspects of a coordinated early childhood education and care system. A key element of this effort is the adoption by statute of a definition of "school readiness" as young children "ready to have successful learning experiences in school when there is a positive interaction among the child's developmental characteristics, school practices, and family and community support." A joint report from the interdepartmental council created by and the private nonprofit corporation discussed in Act 77, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997, is required on progress in improving Hawaii's system of early education and care.

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 be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.