Establishes a school mentoring program for volunteers to tutor students.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the public school system is strained by large class sizes, resulting in teachers being unable to give the necessary tutelage time to students in need of extra help. The problem is particularly acute in math and science classes. Many students would benefit tremendously from receiving personalized attention and instruction from tutors.

The legislature further finds that the State has a great number of retired persons who are well educated, well qualified, and willing to volunteer to be tutors. These tutors are most needed in math and science. Many retirees seek second careers, and education fulfills the needs of many who seek to give back to the community.

The purpose of this Act is to create a volunteer retiree tutor program in the public schools, to be known as the school mentoring program.

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

"§302A-   School mentoring program. There is created the school mentoring program for the public schools. The department shall administer the program. The program shall recruit and train retirees to serve as volunteer tutors to students. The focus of the program shall be in math and sciences."

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, for implementation of the school mentoring program.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.