HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	371
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to classroom size.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that quality education for Hawaii's students is imperative not only for each student's future success, but also for the overall strength of Hawaii as a State.  The legislature further finds that although Hawaii has seen several educational improvements in the United States Department of Education's National Assessment of Educational Progress for the State from 2009 to 2011, further steps are needed to ensure continued progress.

     To this end, the legislature finds that innovative educational techniques and methods are important for State educators.  One such method, the reduction of class sizes, has been met with success in two United States programs: Project STAR in Tennessee and Project SAGE in Wisconsin.  The legislature finds that the adoption of such an approach to reduce class size may have similar benefits for Hawaii's students.

     The purpose of this Act, therefore, is to establish a classroom size working group that brings together knowledgeable members of various government agencies and community groups to assess the benefits of a classroom size reduction program that ensures adequate teaching positions at every department of education school in the State.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of education shall establish a classroom size reduction working group to consist of the following members:

     (1)  The executive director of the Hawaii state teachers association, or the executive director's designee; and

     (2)  Two teachers from each county; provided that the senate president shall appoint one teacher from each county and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one teacher from each county.

     (b)   The working group established in subsection (a) shall:

     (1)  Collect relevant data from schools in the State that establish:

         (A)  Whether a reduction of class size leads to educational gains; and

          (B)  An ideal student-to-teacher ratio for each grade level to accomplish educational gains; and

     (2)  Devise policies to address the adoption of:

         (A)  Classroom size limits; and

         (B)  Administrative rules and procedures to assess penalties for exceeding mandated classroom size limits, including a loss in revenue limit funding for each pupil that exceeds the mandated classroom size limits; and

     (3)  Make recommendations to the board of education, department of education, governor, and legislature regarding recommendations for policies and actions regarding the reduction of classroom sizes and changes in the ratio of teachers to students per classroom.

     (c)  Members of the working group shall not be entitled to compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties on the working group.

     (d)  No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the working group.

     (e)  The working group shall submit a report of its findings, including any recommendations for legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2014 and 2015.

     (f)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2015.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to establish a classroom size working group.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Classroom Size; Teacher to Student Ratios; Working Group

Description:

Creates a classroom size working group aimed at determining whether reductions in classroom sizes and student-to-teacher ratios allow for greater academic performance.  Effective July 1, 2013.

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