STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1581

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 238

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 238, 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 provide additional guidance to the Department of Education by:

     (1)  Amending the definition of instructional hours for elementary and secondary schools to include specified activities to which a related general learner outcome is attached; and

     (2)  Clarifying that statutorily specified student instructional hour requirements are minimum requirements.

The Department of Education, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, IMUAlliance, and one concerned individual submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Hawaii State Teachers Association and several concerned individuals submitted testimony in opposition to this measure.  The Hui for Excellence in Education submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  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. 238, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 238, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair