Report Title:
Teacher Licensing; Hawaiian Language; Teacher Standards
Description:
Requires the Hawaii teacher standards board to establish alternative licensing standards for teaching in the Hawaiian language. Prohibits the board from requiring a passing score on a national examination in Hawaiian language or culture as a condition of being licensed to teach in certain Hawaiian educational programs.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2420 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 302A-802, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§302A-802 Licensing standards; Hawaiian programs; policies. (a) The board shall establish licensing standards that govern teacher licensing in Hawaii. Licensing standards established by the board shall be adopted as rules under chapter 91 unless otherwise specified in this subpart.
(b) In the development of its standards, the board shall consider the existing teacher applicant pool that is available in the State and the level of the qualification of these applicants, as well as the nature and availability of existing preservice higher education teacher training programs.
(c) The board shall establish alternative licensing standards that focus on adequate post-secondary education, or professional experience, in the Hawaiian language. The board shall not make passing any national examination that tests knowledge of the Hawaiian language or Hawaiian culture related areas a condition of being licensed to teach in the medium of the Hawaiian language, or licensed to teach in a Hawaiian language immersion program, or licensed to teach Hawaiian studies or other areas related to Hawaiian culture, or licensed to teach in a Hawaiian-focused charter school, or licensed to teach on the island of Niihau.
For the purposes of this section, "Hawaiian-focused charter school" means a school that uses instructional methods and materials based on Hawaiian values, including the use of Hawaiian culture-focused curriculum and pedagogy, and either teaches classes exclusively in the Hawaiian language or offers substantial Hawaiian language immersion programs and curricular strands.
[(c)] (d) The board shall adopt policies, exempt from chapters 91 and 92, to initiate the following:
(1) Develop a plan for licensing more individuals with practical experience for teaching in vocational/technical programs;
(2) Develop a plan to accept teachers from any state as long as they have completed state-approved teacher education programs and pass relevant Hawaii teacher examinations or their equivalent;
(3) Clarify the requirements, on a state-by-state basis, for out-of-state licensed teachers to obtain a license in Hawaii;
(4) Develop a plan to facilitate licensing for those who intend to teach in Hawaii immersion programs, on the island of Niihau, or in any other [[]extraordinary[]] situation as defined by the [[]superintendent[]] or the superintendent's designee; and
(5) Pursue full teacher license reciprocity with the mid-Atlantic states, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Washington."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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