SB1149 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1149
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RElating to Education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that since the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Public Law 107-110, there has been a significant amount of experience and analyses of the effectiveness of the No Child Left Behind approach to assessments and standards.

At the same time, many school systems, including the department of education of Hawaii, have sought to utilize nationally produced assessment instruments that have not always met the needs of our communities. In fact, the State, like many others, has not taken full advantage of the flexibilities that are offered by federal law.

The legislature further finds that greater collaboration between the University of Hawaii's many educational resources, including the Hawaii educational policy center, and the department of education will benefit all of Hawaii's students.

Finally, the legislature further finds that most reform efforts in the United States have the benefit of a well funded, independent policy research institute to assist policy makers. The Hawaii educational policy center, located at the University of Hawaii, has provided valuable analyses in the past, but has not received the financial commitment from the State to permit the level of assistance needed by policy makers in the field of education.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Appropriate funds to the Hawaii educational policy center to spearhead a more concerted effort to develop a more comprehensive "growth model" for Hawaii public schools that considers the recommendations of the council of chief state school officers and other professional organizations; and

(2) Appropriate funds to the Hawaii educational policy center to take the lead in development of these assessments and to continue to provide expert analyses and commentary to assist policy makers.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $450,000, 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, to the Hawaii educational policy center at the University of Hawaii to work with the department of education and other educational research organizations, such as Kamehameha schools, to develop alternative assessment tools, including a comprehensive "growth model" that:

(1) Goes beyond the proposed index and formula proposal currently proposed by the department of education;

(2) Considers recommendations of the council of chief state school officers and other professional organizations for use in measuring student achievement over time at a school;

(3) Explores student growth across the curriculum, not limited to subjects currently tested under federal law;

(4) Evaluates progress on the development of performance indicators in areas relating to student achievement, safety and well-being, and civic responsibility and make recommendations on improvements; and

(5) Provides independent comment and analysis on issues before the legislature, the board of education, and the department of education;

provided that the Hawaii educational policy center may contract with appropriate professionals to assist in carrying out these tasks.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii educational policy center through the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.