Appropriates funds for the comprehensive school alienation program. (SD2)

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 be otherwise 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, address 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 163.5 secondary teacher positions and would also ensure that each secondary school has at least one comprehensive school alienation program teacher.

Under Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, the weighted student formula has modified the fair distribution of funding within the public school system. The weighted student formula does not directly address the adequacy of funding. Some schools that lost funds under the weighted student formula lack the resources necessary to educate their students. With adequate funding, more students would be able to benefit from the comprehensive school alienation program. An investment must be made in the comprehensive school alienation program so that the resources determined by the weighted student formula will be allocated appropriately and the maximum number of at-risk high school students are identified, counseled, retained, and educated.

The purpose of this Act is to support the comprehensive school alienation program.

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 2006-2007, to carry out the purpose of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.