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. 2816, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a loan program for students enrolled in state-approved teacher education programs at private colleges and universities in Hawaii.

This bill creates an incentive for students to become teachers and to ensure that these graduates teach in our public schools. Specifically, this bill establishes the Hawaii educator incentive program to provide financial assistance to students who complete a state-approved teacher education program in Hawaii and who teach in the Hawaii public school system for a minimum of six consecutive years.

Your Committee finds that of all government programs affecting the public, education is arguably the most important because it has an impact upon businesses, individuals, parents, higher education, the tourism industry, and even government itself, as an informed and educated public makes for a better democracy.

This bill strives to provide a loan forgiveness payment plan whereby a person who completes a state-approved teacher education program at a private college or university in Hawaii and who teaches in the Hawaii public school system for a minimum of six consecutive years will have their education costs eliminated to the same extent that a comparable education would have cost at the University of Hawaii. It is hoped that this incentive will help boost the numbers of persons entering the teaching profession statewide.

Your Committee has amended this bill 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. 2816, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2816, S.D. 2.