Requires that additional part-time teachers, aides, or both, be added when the 1-to-26 ratio is exceeded in grades 3 to 5 in public schools.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. In grade three in public schools, the teacher-to-student ratio increases from one-to-twenty to one-to-twenty-six. In the teacher allocation for kindergarten to grade two, additional part-time teachers or aides are added when the one-to-twenty ratio is exceeded in those grades. Similar support should be afforded to those students in grades three to five when students are still in their formative years and can greatly benefit from the extra attention that may be available to them from additional teachers or aides.

The purpose of this Act is to require that additional part-time teachers, aides, or both, be added when the one-to-twenty-six ratio is exceeded in grades three to five in public schools.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to hire additional part-time teachers, aides, or both, when the one-to-twenty-six ratio is exceeded in grades three to five in public schools.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.