Appropriates funds for the comprehensive school alienation program. Effective date July 1, 2020. (SB2838 HD2)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The comprehensive school alienation program is a statewide secondary education prevention and early intervention program for students identified as at-risk of becoming alienated from school or dropping out of school before meeting high school graduation requirements. The program provides appropriate instructional and counseling support services to assist students in overcoming educational, social, emotional, and related difficulties that impinge upon their academic progress and personal development.

Department of education schools should be supported in their efforts to improve this effective model, as documented in their school program plans. As redesign efforts proceed, schools should envision the comprehensive school alienation program as an integral part of the comprehensive student support system, a prevention and early intervention program, a support program for at-risk students, and a source of assistance with academic and personal development. Although student participation in this program should not be seen as a disciplinary measure or punishment, it does facilitate the smooth classroom management of non-program classrooms by relocating students who may otherwise be disruptive without the enhanced personal attention available in comprehensive school alienation program classrooms.

Although department of education schools should be given the flexibility to redesign the comprehensive school alienation program as they see fit, consistent with a recent department informational memorandum outlining best practices, all schools would benefit from having additional teachers associated with the program, ideally bringing the comprehensive school alienation program teacher-to-student ratio down to approximately one to twenty-five. Smaller ratios would enhance relationship building between students and teachers, promote the development of social skills, foster a sense of belonging to the school environment, create smaller learning environments, and minimize school alienation through personalization. Bringing the ratio down to one to twenty-five would require an additional one hundred sixty-three and one-half secondary teacher positions and would also ensure that each secondary school has at least one comprehensive school alienation program teacher.

The high core program has served as an alternative learning center for the most severely alienated youth of the department of education's central district for thirty-eight years. It has been funded by the comprehensive school alienation program, which is subject to the weighted student formula, as well as by the alternative learning center programs, which are not subject to the formula. Because the high core program is the only alternative learning center receiving comprehensive school alienation program funding, it potentially stands to lose a necessary source of funding through implementation of the weighted student formula.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure that at-risk high school students continue to be identified, counseled, retained, and educated by appropriating funds for the comprehensive school alienation program, which are to be temporarily exempt from the weighted student formula during the transitional period in which the weighted student formula is being implemented.

SECTION 2. In expending sums previously appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007, the department of education shall exempt the allocation of any comprehensive school alienation program moneys to the high core program in the central district from the weighted student formula under section 302A-1303.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 3. 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 2006-2007 to carry out the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education; provided that the allocation of any comprehensive school alienation program moneys to the high core program in the central district shall be exempt from the weighted student formula under section 302A-1303.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.