STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2501

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2507

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2507 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

beg 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:

(A) Develop and implement a statewide computer science curricula plan for public schools; and

(B) Permit students to fulfill certain graduation requirements through computer science coursework; and

(2) Require the University of Hawaii to permit applicants to fulfill certain admission requirements through computer science coursework.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from HawaiiKidsCAN; Ho‘omana Pono, LLC; Hawaii Island Economic Development Board; Code.org; Women in Technology (Maui Economic Development Board); Microsoft Corporation; Dev League Inc.; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and four individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and University of Hawai‘i System.

Your Committees find 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 Committees further find 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 curriculum 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 Committees have heard the testimony of the Department of Education expressing concerns related to computer science standards, the state leadership team's efforts, teacher certifications, high school course offerings, and contracts for professional development. Your Committees find that these issues raise concerns that merit further consideration and request that your Committee on Ways and Means further examine those issues and concerns should they choose to hear this measure.

Your Committees have 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 June 30, 2021, shall lapse; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2507, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2507, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Higher Education,

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair