STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1511

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1728

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1728, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to reduce the classroom teacher/student ratio in public schools.

Generally, this measure:

(1) Reduces the teacher/student ratio for grades kindergarten, one, and two over three years from 2007 to 2010 and makes an unspecified appropriation therefor, and allows a delay of no more than three years for the Department of Education to implement the reduction;

(2) Allows the Governor to reallocate funds for the reduction under certain circumstances;

(3) Requires the Department to report to the Legislature if the Department is unable to attain or maintain the proposed teacher/student ratio;

(4) Requires the Department to develop a phase-in plan to reduce the teacher/student ratio for grades three, four, and five and makes an unspecified appropriation therefor;

(5) Provides appropriations of $1 to hire part-time teachers or tutors for elementary and intermediate schools; and

(6) Provides an unspecified appropriation to hire additional part-time teachers or aides when the one-to-twenty-six teacher/student ratio is exceeded in grades three to five.

Your Committee finds that a reduction in the teacher/student ratio will enhance learning in public schools by providing students with more personalized instruction, reducing disciplinary problems, and allowing students to advance more quickly through their curriculum.

Your Committee has amended the bill by making amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1728, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1728, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

		____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair