STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1878

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.C.R. No. 150

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 150, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH AND FACILITATE A SPECIAL EDUCATION PRIVATE SCHOOL TASK FORCE TO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON POLICIES OR PROCEDURES FOR OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING OF PRIVATE SCHOOL OR FACILITY PLACEMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Superintendent of Education to establish and facilitate a Special Education Private School Task Force, which shall cease to exist on June 30, 2011, to:

     (1)  Advise the Department of Education on policies or
          procedures for oversight and monitoring of private
          school or facility placements;

     (2)  Review data collected by the Department regarding
          oversight and monitoring;

     (3)  Advise the Department on efforts to improve and
          streamline oversight and monitoring; and

     (4)  Report its findings and recommendations to the 2011
          Legislature.

     The Department of Education, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Special Education Advisory Council, and the Community Children's Council of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.   Several concerned citizens supported the intent of this measure.  The Autism Society of Hawaii, Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, and several concerned citizens supported this measure with amendments.  The Hawaii Disability Rights Center and a concerned citizen offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 150, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair