Report Title:

Teacher recruitment and retention.

Description:

Creates the Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program to be administered by the Hawaii teacher standards board; appropriates funds.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

498

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that our state is facing a severe teacher shortage. The legislature further finds that in order to provide our children with a highly qualified teacher in every classroom, the state must demonstrate commitment and support to those individuals who are willing to pursue a college degree in education.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the creation of the Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program to be administered by the Hawaii teacher standards board.

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

"§302A- Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program.

(a) There is established a Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program to be administered by the Hawaii teacher standards board.

(b) The program shall be a scholarship award program available to applicants who major in education, or wish to pursue teacher certification and licensing, and who commit to teaching in the Hawaii public school system for a minimum of three years.

(c) The Hawaii teacher standards board through the Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program may grant awards of up to five thousand dollars to individuals who:

(1) Pursue a teaching degree at the University of Hawaii or other local college or university; or

(2) Pursue a teaching degree at an out-of-state college.

(d) The Hawaii teacher standards board shall:

(1) Develop procedures in accordance with Chapter 91 to administer the Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program; and

(2) Develop penalties for scholarship recipients who fail to meet the three-year commitment to teach in a Hawaii public school.

SECTION 3. Section 302A-803, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§302A-803 Powers and duties of the board. In addition to establishing standards for the issuance and renewal of licenses and any other powers and duties authorized by law, the board's powers shall also include:

(1) Setting and administering its own budget;

(2) Adopting, amending, repealing, or suspending the policies, standards, or rules of the board in accordance with chapter 91;

(3) Receiving grants or donations from private foundations, and state and federal funds;

(4) Submitting an annual report to the governor and the legislature on the board's operations and from the 2007-2008 school year, submitting a summary report every five years of the board's accomplishment of objectives, efforts to improve or maintain teacher quality, and efforts to keep its operations responsive and efficient;

(5) Conducting a cyclical review of standards and suggesting revisions for their improvement;

(6) Establishing licensing fees in accordance with chapter 91, including the collection of fees by means of mandatory payroll deductions, which shall subsequently be deposited into the state treasury and credited to the Hawaii teacher standards board revolving fund;

(7) Establishing penalties in accordance with chapter 91;

(8) Issuing, renewing, revoking, suspending, and reinstating licenses;

(9) Reviewing reports from the department on individuals hired on an emergency basis;

(10) Applying licensing standards on a case-by-case basis and conducting licensing evaluations;

(11) Preparing and disseminating teacher licensing information to schools and operational personnel;

(12) Approving teacher preparation programs;

(13) Administering the Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program;

[(13)] (14) Administering reciprocity agreements with other states relative to licensing;

[(14)] (15) Conducting research and development on teacher licensure systems, beginning teacher programs, the assessment of teaching skills, and other related topics;

[(15)] (16) Participating in efforts relating to teacher quality issues, conducting professional development related to the board's standards, and promotion of high teacher standards and accomplished teaching; and

[(16)] (17) Adopting applicable rules and procedures."

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the Hawaii teacher recruitment and retention program.

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii teacher standards board for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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