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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
103 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
urging the Governor and Senate President to establish a Special Education Caucus in recognition of the State's responsibilities toward Hawaii's special education students and their families.
WHEREAS, special education and related services are a critical component of education policy and provide a challenge for educators and policy makers alike in developing thoughtful solutions for Hawaii's public schools; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that as a result of federal civil rights and special education laws, the State of Hawaii has discretion in how it provides education that is accessible to all students in need of special education through traditional public schools, charter schools, private schools, and home schools; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, only a limited number of state legislative measures affecting special education have been enacted in response to the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Law 108-446, and its implementing federal regulations that govern the State's responsibilities toward exceptional children; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, that the Governor and Senate President are urged to establish a Special Education Caucus in recognition of the State's responsibilities toward Hawaii's special education students and their families; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Special Education Caucus include members of the State Senate and a community resource group of special education advocates and providers to assist the Special Education Caucus in identifying priority areas, including an annual Special Education Caucus Package of measures to address the State's response to the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Law 108-446, and its implementing federal regulations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Special Education Caucus is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Senate, including proposed legislation consisting of Hawaii's first Exceptional Children's Education Act of 2010, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2010 Regular Session; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Superintendent of Education.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Special Education Caucus; Establish