STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1180

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1268

      H.D. 3

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1268, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INNOVATION IN EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to prepare the skilled workforce necessary to support a new economy through the establishment of programs to develop science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills in students in the public schools and at the University of Hawaii (UH).  This bill establishes:

(1)  A Hawaii Excellence through Science and Technology (HiEST) Academy Program focusing on STEM skills in public high school students and enabling these students to enter college without the need for remediation in these subjects;

(2)  The Fostering Inspiration and Relevance Through Science and Technology (FIRST) Pre-academy Program to stimulate interest and achievement in STEM subjects and prepare middle school students for entry into HiEST;

(3)  A Research Experience for Teachers Program administered by the UH College of Engineering in coordination with the FIRST Program to support development of public

     middle school teacher skills, knowledge, and curriculum materials in STEM subjects with a focus on wireless communications;

(4)  A professional development program in UH for public school science and mathematics teachers from elementary through high school to increase their knowledge of recent developments and best practices in science, technology, and mathematics;

(5)  Continued funding for the stipends provided by the federal Transition to Teaching Program to encourage persons with degrees in STEM subjects to obtain teaching certificates through UH's post baccalaureate certificate in secondary education program;

(6)  The Business and Education Internship and Mentorship Program to provide internships, mentorships, and other experiential learning arrangements within the for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors, for public high school students and graduates attending college in Hawaii and elsewhere; and

(7)  The Eminent Scholars Program to provide matching funds to establish at least five permanently endowed chairs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at UH.

The bill also appropriates an unspecified amount of funds to implement the new programs.

     The Governor, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, High Technology Development Corporation, Workforce Development Council, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Oceanic Imaging Consultants, Inc., Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  A concerned individual supported this bill in part.  The Department of Education and University of Hawaii supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii State Teachers Association submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1268, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1268, H.D. 3.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair