Requires the reduction of the student to teacher ratio for elementary, middle, and high school grades. Appropriates funds for initiatives and for staff needed to support the reduction.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds many benefits to a reduction in the student teacher ratio. The majority of research continues to demonstrate that students from smaller classes continued to out-perform students from larger classes through the eighth grade. Other outcomes from smaller class size include students who are less likely to be retained in a grade, more actively participate in class, and less likely to be referred to special education. Research and common sense suggest that teachers in smaller classes are better able to devote more time to each student, which likely produces positive effects on student achievement and can significantly impact the education of disadvantaged children.

The legislature further finds that teachers as well as students benefit from smaller class sizes. Teachers who are assigned to classrooms that have a small student teacher ratio report higher morale levels and are often able to move more quickly through their curriculum. These teachers also experience fewer discipline problems and are better able to recognize learning deficiencies and special education needs of their students. The legislature agrees with the Hawaii State Teachers Association that excellence in the classroom can best be attained by a reduction of the student teacher ratio in all grades to allow for the optimum development of a student's potential.

Reducing the student teacher ratio in elementary, middle, and high school grades will require the combined efforts of educators, administrators, school community councils, and other stakeholders who best know the needs of individual schools.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-   Reduction of student teacher ratio. (a) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the legislature and allotted by the governor, the department:

(b) Subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the legislature and allotted by the governor, the department shall support class size reduction by providing additional staff as necessary, including teachers from art, music, physical education, gifted and talented, technology, and other specialty areas, tutors, counselors, librarians, and other staff as appropriate."

SECTION 3. The department of education shall plan and budget for future staffing needs and classroom expansion and construction to accommodate the reduction of the student teacher ratio at all grade levels. The department shall report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2007, on its plan, timetable, and budgetary projects to accomplish the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. 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 phase in the reduction of class size in all public elementary, middle, and high school grades over the next three years beginning with school year 2006-2007, including the hiring of additional teachers, tutors, counselors, librarians, resource teachers, and other staff as necessary for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.