SB3137

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that according to the National Conference of State Legislatures' No Time to Lose report, the United States' public schools are falling dangerously behind the rest of the world when looking at a number of international comparisons, such as the Program of International Student Assessment. This renowned study and others like it finds that if the United States, as a nation, continues on this path, the United States will struggle to compete in the global economy, both individually as citizens and collectively as a nation. Although Hawaii's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores have risen continuously, the department of education still has much to do to be considered amongst the highest performing public-school systems in the country. NAEP does not test all relevant skills needed to succeed; however, it is one of the best direct comparisons amongst states to compare the effectiveness of public school systems in preparing their students to be internationally competitive.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a no time to lose commission to examine how the State's public schools can be internationally competitive.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- No time to lose commission; established. There is established a no time to lose commission to examine how the State's public schools can be internationally competitive by examining common elements found in high performing education systems. The commission shall examine how the State can accomplish various educational goals that include, but are not limited to the following:

(1) Ensuring that every three- and four-year-old has access to quality early-learning education;

(2) Ensuring that the State's educational curricula are internationally benchmarked;

(3) Guaranteeing that each high school has a career and technical education curriculum that includes computer science studies; and

(4) Continuing to allocate funds based on a student's needs.

(b) Based upon effective operation practices of high performing public school systems, the commission shall consider the following:

(1) Individual teacher preparation time to allow teachers to adequately prepare for instruction the following day;

(2) Collaborative teacher preparation time to allow opportunities for similar-grade teachers to facilitate conversation regarding effective pedagogy and the creation of high quality lesson plans;

(3) Time for teachers to work with students who have not mastered any lessons;

(4) The rotation of principals and vice principals among the public elementary, middle or intermediate, and high schools in a designed complex area; provided that the commission shall also consider rotations based upon where the highest need or demand for administrative support is so that principals are actively available to all teachers and students; and

(5) The rotation time for principals and vice principals within complex areas to conduct non-punitive classroom observations; provided that the intent of the observations is to offer tools to increase professional growth and further develop effective teaching, based upon the highest need or demand for administrative support.

(1) The chair of the house of representatives committee on lower and higher education, or the chair's designee, who shall serve as co-chair of the commission;

(2) The chair of the senate committee on education, or the chair's designee, who shall serve as co-chair of the commission;

(3) The superintendent or the superintendent's designee;

(4) A department of education principal, to be selected by the superintendent;

(5) A department of education teacher, to be selected by the superintendent;

(6) A representative of the Hawaii Executive Conference, to be selected by its executive director;

(7) A representative of the Hawaii Community Foundation, to be selected by its chief executive officer and president;

(8) A representative of the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, to be selected by its president and chief executive officer;

(9) A representative from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, who shall be invited to be a member of the commission by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(10) A representative from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, who shall be invited to be a member of the commission by the president of the senate; and

(11) Other members as the commission deems necessary.

(d) The commission shall be exempt from part I of chapter 92; provided that the department shall make available to the public the minutes of all meetings of the commission on the department's website.

(e) The department shall be responsible for the administrative responsibilities of the commission, including but not limited to the posting of public notices, preparing agendas and minutes, organizing meetings, and reporting on the outcome and recommendations of the commission.

(f) The commission shall submit a report of its findings to the legislature, the chairperson of the board, and all complex area superintendents no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."

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 2020-2021 for the no time to lose commission established pursuant to this Act.

The sum 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, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3137
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII