THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3209

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to Teacher professional Development.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a severe shortage of qualified teachers in public school classrooms throughout the State.  Each year, the department of education looks for approximately one thousand two hundred teachers to fill vacancies in early education and kindergarten through twelfth grade levels.  While the department of education can staff most of its positions, the legislature further finds that approximately six hundred classrooms statewide are staffed by long-term substitutes, rather than full-time teachers.

     The legislature also finds that teacher professional development focuses on the provision of a long-term, sustained commitment to educational practice through professional learning, application, and reflection, and results in enhanced student learning.  With ample professional development opportunities, teachers can be empowered to invest in their area of focus and pursue a career educating keiki in Hawai‘i.  As such, the legislature believes that it is incumbent upon the State to provide professional development for teachers to encourage retention and cultivate a culture of empowerment among teachers and principals.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education for teacher professional development.

     SECTION 2.  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 2022-2023 for professional development of school teachers employed by the department of education.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Teacher Development

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for teacher professional development.

 

 

 

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