STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2942

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2607

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2607, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require and appropriate funds for the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide computer science curricula plan for public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade and ensure that each public high school offers at least one computer science course each school year; and

(2) Authorize the Department of Education to contract for computer science teacher development programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, HawaiiKidsCAN, Microsoft Corporation, Code.org, Women in Technology (Maui Economic Development Board), Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that computing-based occupations make up more than two-thirds of all projected new jobs in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, commonly known as STEM fields. This means that college graduates with computer science degrees are in high demand among employers across the nation.

Your Committee further finds that there is a disparity between the demand for computer science education and its availability as only forty percent of schools offer such courses. The integration and prioritization of computer science curricula in public schools may prepare students for fields related to computer science that have the potential to drive job growth and innovation throughout the economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that any unexpended and unencumbered balance of the appropriation as of the close of business on June 30, 2019, instead of on June 30, 2021, shall lapse; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2607, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2607, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair