Appropriates matching funds for the teacher cadet program.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii continues to have a critical shortage of trained teachers for the public school system. In order to address the teacher shortage, members of the Hawaii Alliance for Future Teachers initiated the teacher cadet program, which began in the 2004-2005 school year with the participation of the Kamehameha Schools and five public schools: Campbell, Farrington, Kaimuki, and Kapolei high schools and Kahuku intermediate and high school. The program is modeled after a program in South Carolina that has been successful for the past twenty years in educating high school students in teaching, monitoring them in college, and obtaining jobs for students in the public school system.

The Hawaii program was developed to be a yearlong elective course aimed at high school seniors. The program is targeted for students who are specifically interested in exploring education as a career option. The program provides students with information, field experiences, and insights into teaching in Hawaii schools and guides and supports Hawaii's future teachers to ensure success in their chosen profession. Participants also benefit from adult mentors who help them with college applications and financial planning.

The purpose of this Act is to encourage and support high school students who want to make a career of teaching in Hawaii public schools.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the operations to include recruitment, retention, training, and teacher support of the teacher cadet program.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be deposited into the Hawaii teacher cadet program fund for the purposes of this Act, provided that the Hawaii Alliance for Future Teachers match the amount as provided in section 302A-401.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.