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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
101 |
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TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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requesting the legislative Reference Bureau to identify effective state practices for raising academic achievement among low scoring students and narrowing the achievement gap between low scoring students and top scoring students.
WHEREAS, the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001" is a federal law that imposes certain requirements on state education agencies. As applied to Hawaii, by the end of school year 2013-2014, the Department of Education must ensure that all students meet or exceed a "proficient" level of academic achievement on required state assessments (i.e., reading, mathematics, and science) and other academic measures (i.e., graduation rate for high schools and retention rate for elementary and middle schools); and
WHEREAS, all schools, including charter schools, must make "adequate yearly progress" toward achieving the one hundred per cent goal established by the Act. In addition, the Act is concerned about certain "subgroups" of students: economically disadvantaged students; students from major racial and ethnic groups; students with disabilities; and students with limited English proficiency. Each of these subgroups must make "adequate yearly progress" on all required state assessments and other academic measures; and
WHEREAS, if a Title I school (Title I is a federally funded compensatory education program for low-income and at-risk students) fails to make "adequate yearly progress", then certain consequences will follow. If the failure is:
(1) For two consecutive years, then the Department of Education must: give parents the option of transferring their children to another school at the beginning of the third year, including a charter school, that has not been identified as needing improvement;
(2) For three consecutive years, then the Department must: give parents who remain at a school that has been identified as needing improvement the option of obtaining supplemental educational services for their children (e.g., tutoring and other enrichment services that are in addition to instruction provided during the school day) at the beginning of the fourth year;
(3) For four consecutive years, then the Department must: (A) replace some school staff; (B) implement a new curriculum; (C) decrease the school's management authority; (D) appoint an outside adviser; (E) extend the school day or year; or (F) restructure the internal organization of the school; and
(4) For five consecutive years, then the Department must implement one of the following alternative governance arrangements in accordance with the school's restructuring plan: (A) reopen the school as a charter school; (B) replace all or most of the school's staff; or (C) turn management of the school over to a private company;
and
WHEREAS, raising academic achievement among low scoring students, narrowing the achievement gap between low scoring students and top scoring students, increasing the percentage of students reaching a "proficient" level of academic achievement, increasing the level of achievement among top scoring students, and narrowing the achievement gap between students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and students who are not eligible, carry forward Goal 3 of the national education goals that students should demonstrate knowledge in challenging subject matter, with the objective that the academic performance of all students will increase significantly in every quartile; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to identify effective state practices for raising academic achievement among low scoring students and narrowing the achievement gap between low scoring students and top scoring students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to also identify effective state practices for increasing the percentage of students reaching the "proficient" level of achievement as defined in the National Assessment of Educational Progress; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation if any, to the Legislature not less than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education, Department of Education, and University of Hawaii College of Education are requested to assist the Legislative Reference Bureau with the acquisition and review of literature regarding effective state practices for raising academic achievement among low scoring students and narrowing the achievement gap between low scoring students and top scoring students, in order to ensure the report's thoroughness and timeliness; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, Superintendent of Education, President of the University of Hawaii, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Education, and the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Report Title:
LRB Study; Effective State Practices; Student Achievement; DOE