THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2572
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
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 Act 111, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, established a solid foundation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education by providing department of education teachers with support for developing curriculum to make science- and math-related curriculum more relevant to current needs in the job market.  However, the legislature finds that STEM education efforts still lack sufficient focus and direction.

     The legislature finds that in 2001, the University of Hawaii at Hilo established a federally funded Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (Hawaii EPSCoR) to improve research competitiveness and workforce development in STEM fields throughout the State.  Act 137, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, requires Hawaii EPSCoR to develop a Hawaii state science and technology plan to help coordinate efforts to advance STEM education and workforce development in Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide additional guidance to Hawaii EPSCoR as it continues developing the Hawaii state science and technology plan and additional requirements for further coordination and progress in STEM education and workforce development.

     SECTION 2.  Act 137, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, is amended by amending section 2 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 2.   Hawaii EPSCoR, with the assistance of the high technology development corporation, shall develop a Hawaii state science and technology plan.  The Hawaii state science and technology plan shall be statewide and shall include:

     (1)  An evaluation of the effectiveness of past and current science and high technology legislation, including legislation relating to industry development, incentives, oversight, and sustainability;

     (2)  A plan for the direction of Hawaii's science and high technology sector, including:

         (A)  A list of goals established for the science and high technology sector in the state;

         (B)  A plan to reach the established goals; [and]

         (C)  A timeline for implementation and completion; and

(D) Benchmarks and a five-year timeline for:

(i) Developing, increasing, and perpetuating public-private partnerships that promote statewide strategic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics priorities;

(ii) Increasing student shadowing, practicum, and internship opportunities that provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics experiential learning benefits; and

(iii) Promoting the engagement of the University of Hawaii system and business communities in professional development and mentoring in a broad spectrum of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields;

     (3)  Criteria to measure the growth of emerging growth industries in the science and high technology sector;

     (4)  Guidelines for future science and high technology legislation to assist the legislature in maintaining an overall framework to guide the development of science and high technology in the state; and

     (5)  Recommendations or proposals for science and high technology legislation to meet the goals established in the plan."

     SECTION 3.  Hawaii EPSCoR shall collaborate with the department of education and the University of Hawaii to incorporate statewide strategic STEM priorities into the department of education strategic plan and the University of Hawaii system strategic plan, including clear and specific actions and benchmarks to meet those strategic priorities.

     SECTION 4.  Hawaii EPSCoR shall collaborate with the Education Commission of the States to apply for Investing in Innovation Fund grants available through the United States Department of Education to support and expand well-documented, successful STEM-related programs and strategies.

     SECTION 5.  Hawaii EPSCoR, the University of Hawaii system, the department of education, and the business community shall establish an information system to track information on the transition of students studying STEM fields from the classroom to the workplace.

     SECTION 6.  The University of Hawaii system, with the assistance of Hawaii EPSCoR, shall establish a support system that provides advising, counseling, and financial aid services to students engaged in STEM-related studies to pursue and complete degrees in STEM fields.

     SECTION 7.  Hawaii EPSCoR shall create a communication and marketing effort that promotes STEM priorities, recruits students and professionals to STEM programs, and creates awareness in the general public of successful STEM programs and achievements.

     SECTION 8.  Hawaii EPSCoR shall submit a report providing an update on its actions pursuant to sections 3, 4, 5, and 7 of this Act no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 regular session.

     SECTION 9.  The University of Hawaii shall submit a report providing an update on in its actions pursuant to section 6 of this Act no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 regular session.

     SECTION 10.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 11.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

STEM; EPSCoR; State Science and Technology Plan

Description:

Provides additional guidance to Hawaii EPSCoR for the Hawaii state science and technology plan and provides additional requirements for further coordination and progress in STEM education and workforce development.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.