Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 149 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Legislative Reference Bureau undertake a study 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.

In addition, this measure requests that the Legislative Reference Bureau:

Your Committee finds that 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). In addition, certain "subgroups" of students (i.e., economically disadvantaged students, students from major racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and students with limited English proficiency) must make "adequate yearly progress" on all required state assessments and other academic measures.

Your Committee also finds that raising academic achievement among low scoring students, narrowing the achievement gap between low scoring students and top scoring students, and increasing the percentage of students reaching a "proficient" level of academic achievement 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.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 149 and recommends its adoption.