STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 229

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2007

RE: H.B. No. 1268

H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1268 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INNOVATION IN EDUCATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to invest in the preparation of a highly-skilled workforce and in innovation as a driver of economic development by:

(1) Developing a manageable, expandable, comprehensive system of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academies and pre-academies, based on the successful CISCO and construction academy models, that will focus on developing STEM skills in children from their middle school through high school years;

(2) Improving the quality of STEM teaching in Hawaii's schools by providing enhanced professional development opportunities for practicing teachers and attracting highly qualified people with STEM degrees to the teaching profession;

(3) Increasing opportunities for high school and college students to gain experience through internships;

(4) Increasing the number of Hawaii high school graduates who seek degrees or certificates in STEM disciplines by providing them with scholarships to attend accredited institutions of higher education in Hawaii; and

(5) Increasing the quality of STEM education in Hawaii's postsecondary education institutions through the creation of endowed chairs in the STEM disciplines.

The Governor, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Workforce Development Council, University of Hawaii (UH) College of Engineering, High Technology Development Corporation, Hawaii Pacific University, Chaminade University, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Coalition of Hawaii Engineering and Architectural Professionals, American Society of Civil Engineers, Castle & Cooke, Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, CTA Solutions, National Defense Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Department of Education and UH supported the intent of this measure. A concerned individual opposed this bill. A concerned individual offered comments.

Your Committees recognize that there has not been the level of dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders required to craft a comprehensive system of education and workforce development initiatives such as the one intended by this bill. Therefore, your Committees respectfully note that this bill is a work-in-progress.

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1) Simplifying the purpose language;

(2) Clarifying that the Hawaii Excellence Through Science and Technology (HiEST) Academy Program, Fostering Inspiration and Relevance Through Science and Technology (FIRST) Pre-academy Program, and Business and Education Internship and Mentorship Program are offered to public school students, and the Professional Development Program is offered to public school teachers;

(3) Regarding the HiEST Academy Program:

(a) Removing the limit on the number of high schools at which HiEST academies may be established;

(b) Clarifying that HiEST academy courses shall provide students with UH community college academic credit;

(c) Requiring the HiEST Academy Program to place priority on engaging all students, whether or not they are involved in advanced placement programs, international baccalaureate programs, or advanced science and mathematics programs;

(d) Deleting the specification on the number of high schools that each of the UH community colleges shall endeavor to partner with on their respective islands to establish HiEST academies; and

(e) Deleting mention of the specific goals of the HiEST Academy Program;

(4) Regarding the FIRST Pre-academy Program:

(a) Deleting mention of the specific goals of the FIRST Pre-academy Program;

(b) Deleting the list of specific activities included in the Research Experiences for Teachers Program; and

(5) Regarding the Professional Development Program:

(a) Placing the program within the UH College of Education; and

(b) Deleting mention of the specific goal of the program;

(6) Deleting mention of the specific goal of the federal Department of Education's Transition To Teaching Program;

(7) Deleting provisions relating to the STEM Scholarship Program and special fund;

(8) Limiting the Eminent Scholars Program and State Akamai Investment Matching Special Fund to UH, rather than any accredited university in Hawaii;

(9) Changing all appropriations to unspecified amounts to encourage further discussion;

(10) Designating the UH College of Education as the expending agency for funds for the Professional Development Program and for stipends for qualified individuals to obtain teaching certificates through UH's post baccalaureate certificate in secondary education program; and

(11) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1268, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1268, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Higher Education,

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JERRY L. CHANG, Chair

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ROY TAKUMI, Chair