THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2068
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO early EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The 2009 secondary student conference passed resolution number 13, recommending that the department of education establish a mandatory kindergarten pilot project in one school complex for every island in the State.  The recommendation was based on studies by the National Institute For Early Education Research, as well as by Arizona State University and the University of Colorado, demonstrating the efficacy of early education in the intellectual and social development of children, and on the reduction in crime rates in later years of life.  A state task force on early education reported to the legislature on January 3, 2008, that under eighteen per cent of Hawaii's children enter kindergarten with the literacy skills necessary for success.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a pilot program of mandatory junior kindergarten and kindergarten attendance in one school complex on each island, to be selected by the department of education.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is created a pilot mandatory junior kindergarten and kindergarten program.  The department of education shall select one school complex on each island to participate in the pilot program.  Notwithstanding section 302A‑411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, junior kindergarten and kindergarten attendance in the selected school complexes shall be mandatory as provided in subsection (b).

     (b)  In school complexes selected for participation in the pilot program, notwithstanding section 302A-411(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the 2010-2011 and the 2011-2012 school years:

     (1)  Any child who will be at least four years of age after August 1 and before January 1 of the school year and who will not be attending a private school shall attend junior kindergarten at a public school; and

     (2)  Any child who will be at least five years of age on or before August 1 of the school year and who will not be attending a private school shall attend kindergarten at a public school.

     (c)  Junior kindergarten and kindergarten attendance shall be a prerequisite for enrollment in first grade at a public school in a school complex selected to participate in the pilot program; provided that this prerequisite shall not apply to any child who did not attend junior kindergarten or kindergarten, as the case may be:

     (1)  Because the child did not live in a public school complex area selected for mandatory junior kindergarten and kindergarten attendance under this Act; or

     (2)  Because the child was of junior kindergarten or kindergarten age prior to the 2010-2011 school year.

     (d) The department shall establish and maintain junior kindergartens and kindergartens with a program of instruction as a part of the public school system in the public school complexes selected for participation in the pilot program established under this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall not be construed to be in conflict with section 302A-411(a)(1), Hawaii Revised Statutes.  The legislature intends this Act to be a pilot program rather than a permanent enactment.  Voluntary junior kindergarten and kindergarten attendance shall remain in effect for all public school complexes except those selected to participate in the pilot program under this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The department of education shall submit an interim report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2012, and a final report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2013 with an evaluation of mandatory junior kindergarten and kindergarten attendance as provided in section 2 of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on May 31, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Education; Mandatory Pre-Kindergarten; Pilot

Description:

Establishes a pilot program making junior kindergarten and kindergarten attendance mandatory in one public school complex on each island.  Requires DOE to report to legislature.  Sunsets 5/31/2013.

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