STAND. COM. REP. NO. 895

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 686

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 686, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to report to the Legislature on various aspects regarding the establishment of a career ladder program for educational assistants. 

     Specifically, the measure requires the Department of Education to report on class levels and other career ladder enhancements, the number of affected individuals, and the cost impact of implementing a career ladder for educational assistants.  This measure also appropriates funding for this purpose.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by the Superintendent of the Department of Education, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, Waialua Elementary School educators, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that a career ladder program is a salary structure developed for educational assistants who meet the specific job requirements based on training, job performance, and years of experience as an educational assistant.  The career ladder program recognizes training as a means to advance in salary.  The goal of the career ladder program is to attract, retain, and reward quality educational assistants.  With the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the requirements set forth in the No Child Left Behind Act, the Department of Education is responsible for the development of staff training programs and opportunities to meet these demands.

     Your Committee believes that this measure will begin the process of determining the parameters of an educational assistant career ladder program and provide the Legislature with the information necessary to make prudent decisions on this issue.

     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 S.B. No. 686, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair