Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 60 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to develop a statewide teacher cadet program designed to encourage Hawaii's brightest and best students to pursue careers in teaching.

The Superintendent of Education, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Teachers Association, College of Education Alumni Association, Hawaii Alpha Delta Kappa, International Sorority of Educators, and one individual submitted testimony supporting this measure.

Your Committee finds that there is a need to promote the exciting career opportunities in education to public school secondary students. A pilot effort attracted seventeen students during the Summer of 2002 to a Summer's Journey into Education, a month-long program of all-day seminars detailing a teaching career. The program allowed cadets to participate in hands-on experiences in teaching, giving them on-the-job experience designed to provide a foundation for decision-making about a career in education.

Your Committee believes that the ever-increasing shortage of teachers necessitates the use of all means to attract dedicated and motivated individuals into the field of education. The establishment of such a program would help facilitate the promotion of the teaching profession.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 60 and recommends its adoption.