STAND. COM. REP. NO. 958

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 516

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 516, S.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 improve the collection of data related to student attainment of industry-recognized credentials.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires the State Board for Career and Technical Education to:

(A) Annually review statewide data collection processes, reporting requirements, and business rules related to student attainment of industry-recognized credentials;

(B) Ensure that the data collection is consistent and that the reporting across all state educational systems and agencies is transparent; and

(C) Submit a report to the Governor and Legislature regarding the data;

(2) Specifies the types of data required to be collected by state agencies administering educational courses or training programs; and

(3) Requires data-sharing agreements by state agencies administering educational courses or training programs relating to industry-recognized credentials.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and HawaiiKidsCAN.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education and University of Hawaii System.

Your Committee finds that accurate data collection and the sharing of that data will provide policymakers with the information necessary to develop and offer programs that prepare students with the credentials required for jobs that are high-paying and responsive to industry needs.

Your Committee notes that this measure may ultimately require an effective date of July 1, 2023, along with appropriate amendments to the reporting requirements, to provide the State Board for Career and Technical Education with sufficient time to prepare the additional data collection components.

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. 516, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair