STAND. COM. REP. NO. 788

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1346

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1346 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to align the Department of Education's probationary requirements for incoming teachers.  Specifically, this measure amends the probationary period required of licensed charter school teachers, who are not tenured in the Department of Education, upon entering or returning to the Department.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education.  Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the State Public Charter School Commission.

     Your Committee finds that the current probationary period for Department of Education teachers is a minimum of three years.  However, licensed charter school teachers who are entering or returning to the Department of Education, but who are not tenured within the Department, may earn tenure after only a one-year probationary period.  Your Committee believes that this inconsistency in employment probation policy serves no justifiable public purpose.  Your Committee further finds that equalizing the probationary period for teachers will result in consistent policy, resolve existing inequality among teachers, and provide sufficient time for observation and support before awarding tenure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1346 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair