STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1658-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   S.B. No. 2789

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2789, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve the public education system by requiring, among other things:

     (1)  The Department of Education to include additional specified performance indicators in the annual statewide assessment program required under Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004;

     (2)  The Department of Education to include a consistent performance management program, including an evaluation component for teachers and educational officers, in the accountability system required under Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004; and

     (3)  That the evaluation result in an annual rating of each employee's performance, be conducted at least once in each school year, and be on the basis of professional practice and contribution to student learning and growth.

     This measure also establishes a three-year mandatory probation period with specified conditions for all teachers entering the service of the Department of Education for the first time.

The Governor, Department of Education, Hui for Excellence in Education, and two concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Hawaii State Teachers Association and several concerned individuals opposed this measure.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and IMUAlliance provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Substituting the Board of Education for the Department of Education as the entity responsible for:

          (A)  Implementing the comprehensive system of educational accountability;

          (B)  Establishing, in terms of credit hours earned or their equivalent in specified professional development activity, the requirement that teachers and administrators engage in continuous professional growth and development; and

          (C)  Defining evaluation criteria, assigning responsibilities for the application of the criteria, including evaluator training, and identifying uses for evaluation results;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2012; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2789, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2789, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair