HCR259

WHEREAS, the Department of Education has a duty toward exceptional children, as provided for in Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

WHEREAS, exceptional children may include children, in particular, those who have chromosomal disorders with speech difficulties and autism, who require a signed and spoken language to enable them to live normal competitive lives, yet the Department of Education does not recognize this critical developmental and educational need of these exceptional children;

WHEREAS, exceptional children may include children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing who receive sign language instruction and interpreter services to receive a free appropriate public education;

WHEREAS, exceptional children may include children whose native language is other than English and receive English Language Learners intensive language instruction through the public school system to succeed in their educational programs;

WHEREAS, exceptional children may include children who desire to participate in the Hawaiian language medium education program; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is urged to recognize:

(1) The simultaneous usage of sign language and speech in providing for the education of exceptional children who hear but may have speech difficulties, such as children with Trisomy 21/Down Syndrome or autism; and

(2) The developmental and educational implications of the special needs of these exceptional children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education, including the Special Education and Adult and Community Education Programs, in coordination with the Early Intervention Section of the Department of Health, and the American Sign Language Interpreter Education Program and College of Education of the University of Hawaii, is urged to develop:

(1) A definition for immediate consideration for the Department of Education’s current process of revising the Hawaii Administrative Rules related to students with disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004;

(2) A two-level credential, with consideration of pay incentives, for sign language with speech instruction for hearing exceptional children in all University of Hawaii certificate and degree programs, pre-service, and in-service training for all subjects, including substitute teacher training, related to the development and education of children with disabilities;

(3) Home training and classroom training for all students, faculty and related personnel, family, and friends of exceptional children who hear but have speech difficulties, including the coordination of:

(A) Public library resources, such as "Signing Time!", DVD's, and books;

(B) Public Broadcasting Service—Hawaii;

(D) On-line sign language instruction resources, such as the Michigan State University Communication Technology Laboratory American Sign Language Browser; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, President of the University of Hawaii, Director of Health, and the Chairperson of the Interdepartmental Cluster for Services to Children.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Exceptional Children; Sign Language; Education

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	259
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII