STAND. COM. REP. NO. 175

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 971

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 971 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for a scholarship program to be directed and administered by the Department of Education to make awards to students pursuing a degree in teaching at a state accredited institution of higher education for successful completion of one course in computer science.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee 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. In order to compete nationally and globally, Hawaii students need access to comprehensive, grade appropriate computer science courses taught by teachers who are educated in computer science. This measure encourages students who are pursuing a degree in teaching to complete at least one computer science course and heightens the importance of computer science skills, knowledge, and disposition.

Your Committee notes that although the appropriation is blank, an appropriation amount of $100,000 is necessary to establish and administer the scholarship program for students pursing a degree in teaching and who successfully complete one course in computer science.

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 S.B. No. 971 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair