WHEREAS, implementation of Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, has resulted in the alteration of many different parts of our educational system; and

WHEREAS, the State's educational agencies, parents, students, advocates, stakeholders, the Legislature, and the Executive branch must understand how the educational system is faring before we can collectively implement changes that both bolster the positive and address the negative aspects of the system; and

WHEREAS, implementation of Act 51 has caused schools to eliminate or reduce programs in music, art, and other forms of student enrichment; and

WHEREAS, it will now be necessary to track student achievement over time through awards and other measures to determine whether Hawaii students have been able to maintain prior levels of excellence; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Department of Education is requested to determine a set of benchmark scores or indicators to evaluate post-Act 51 student achievement over time; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this set of indicators shall be determined appropriately by system, complex, school, grade level, and other appropriate classification; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this

Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, and the Chair of the Board of Education.

Report Title:

Act 51; Benchmark Indicators