THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	104
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the SUBMITTAL OF annual reports and THE CONVENING OF semi-annual meetings on the status of its reform activities.

     WHEREAS, the "Reinventing Education Act of 2004" (Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004) omnibus legislation intends to reshape the public education system in three ways:

     (1)  Empower principals and school communities with greater authority, decision-making ability, and more control over funds;

     (2)  Streamline procedures for schools to obtain resources more quickly and easily through the reduction of red tape and internal control of facilities, repair and maintenance, and hiring of personnel; and

     (3)  Add accountability through school report cards and performance contracts that provide greater accountability for student achievement; and

     WHEREAS, the Race to the Top program is a $4,350,000,000 fund that the United States Department of Education is using to provide incentives to states to produce measurable student gains; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has submitted its application and requested $78,000,000 to implement reform; and

WHEREAS, in order to claim a share of Race to the Top funds, all states are being pressed by the United States Department of Education to implement four core reforms:

     (1)  Ensure that all students are truly prepared for college or their chosen careers when they graduate and are able to compete in the global economy;

     (2)  Track and report growth in student learning in a timely manner and use that data to improve classroom education;

     (3)  Ensure that all students have effective teachers and that principals, especially those of schools in high poverty and hard-to-staff areas, reward the best teachers and improve or replace those who do not perform well; and

     (4)  Turn around the lowest performing schools by instituting far-reaching reforms, which could include replacing staff or closing schools; and

     WHEREAS, the State hopes to be awarded with a portion of Race to the Top funds and proposes to use the funds to establish Zones of School Innovation for the lowest performing five per cent of schools in which incentives will be offered for experienced educators with a track record of being highly effective and the school day and year will be lengthened; and

     WHEREAS, through accrediting agencies and federal legislation such as the Race to the Top program, educators at all levels are being required to assume responsibility for student performance and progress, with emphasis shifting to learning and assessment; and

     WHEREAS, since meaningful and reliable data of student success, such as student achievement or progress, school attendance, promotion rates, and college attendance rates, are key to this effort, this data should be made available to educators and the public on a timely basis to enable appropriate adjustments and decisions that ultimately improve student learning; and

     WHEREAS, regardless of whether the Department of Education is awarded Race to the Top funds or when funds are received, the Department must commit to reform that improves student learning; and

     WHEREAS, accountability is critical to ensure that reform efforts continue, and principals and teachers need to take responsibility for effectuating improved learning in schools and classrooms by reviewing data and applying professional skills to adjust priorities, processes, and methodologies to advance student progress; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to submit annual reports to the Legislature on the status of its reform activities and to conduct semi-annual meetings with the Legislature on the status of its reform activities, where reform activities may include but not be limited to reorganization, repurposing resources, adjusting priorities and processes based on data, and implementing effective programs and methodologies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Superintendent of Education, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

DOE; Reform; Report to Legislature