Report Title:
Hawaiian Language Immersion Program; Teachers
Description:
Appropriates funds for teaching positions at schools with Hawaiian language immersion programs, where supplemental teaching positions are most needed. (SD1)
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2728 |
|
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008 |
S.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaiian language immersion program of the department of education is a crucial instructional program, as children seek to meet the State's educational standards through the medium of the Hawaiian language. The Hawaiian language immersion program is a welcome vehicle for revitalizing, maintaining, and strengthening the Hawaiian language for its speakers and the community at large.
The Hawaiian language immersion program celebrates twenty years of instructional growth and expansion within the department of education, helping to carry out provisions of article X, section 4, and article XV, section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Hawai‘i and provisions of Act 133, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2004, and Act 159, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2005. The Hawaiian language immersion program continues to play a central role in the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, history, language, values, and practices as provided for by the Constitution of the State of Hawai‘i.
The legislature also finds that throughout the twenty years of the program's existence, the Hawaiian language immersion program has grown and expanded to several districts on the major islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i. However, funding for the program has not kept up with the associated costs of growth, especially in terms of funding for new schools, middle schools, and high schools.
The legislature further finds that, because of the nature of the Hawaiian language immersion program and the weighted student formula as defined by Act 51, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2004, student enrollment at particular immersion program sites may not warrant a regular position allocation at the school level. Therefore, off-ratio positions are needed in order to supplement those schools' regular allocation.
The purpose of this Act is to establish off-ratio teacher positions at schools with Hawaiian language immersion programs where additional supplemental teaching positions are the most needed. The five schools are: Waimea Elementary School, Moloka‘i Middle School, Moloka‘i High School, Kahuku High School, and Kahuku Intermediate School.
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 2008-2009 for the creation of 5.00 full-time equivalent teacher positions, one of which shall be assigned to the Hawaiian language immersion program in each of the following schools: Waimea Elementary School, Moloka‘i Middle School, Moloka‘i High School, Kahuku High School, and Kahuku Intermediate School.
The sum 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, 2008.