HB592 HD1

Report Title:

DOE; Educational Assistants; Career Ladder; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to implement a career ladder program to attract, retain, and reward quality and excellence in educational assistants. (HB592 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	592
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a need for educational assistants, particularly certified educational assistants, to work in Hawaii's public school system. Pursuant to 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 mandated to improve the quality of instruction and services to Hawaii's students by providing staff training programs and opportunities.

The legislature also finds that the department of education has developed a career ladder program for educational assistants who meet specific job requirements based on training, job performance, and years of experience as an educational assistant. The educational assistant career ladder program recognizes training as a means to attain salary advancement. The goal of the program is to attract, retain, and reward quality and excellence in educational assistants by:

(1) Providing opportunities for professional growth;

(2) Enhancing education to improve student achievement; and

(3) Providing educational assistants with incentive, salary supplement, and career advancement programs.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the department of education to implement and fund the career ladder program for educational assistants.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the department of education to implement and fund the educational assistant career ladder program.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.