Report Title:

Education; Military Families; Curriculum

 

Description:

Organizes a statewide task force of military personnel and civilians to improve school relations and curriculum correlations between the military and the department of education.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

533

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to education.

 

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

SECTION 1. The concerns involving students of military families who enter department of education schools are complex. These relate to the transitory nature of military assignments, perceptions of differences in the quality of education in department of education schools, attitudinal and cultural differences, lack of involvement and understanding from military families, and biases which emerge from "local" and military students. These and other issues can create obstacles to learning, and adversely impact curriculum and program reforms in department of education schools.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a statewide task force of military personnel and civilians to improve school relations and curriculum correlations.

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

"§302A- Hawaii military-civilian education task force. (a) The superintendent shall establish the Hawaii military-civilian education task force. The task force shall consist of seven members, including certified teachers, educational officers, and parents of students attending department of education schools with large populations of students of military families, and the nonvoting military representative to the board of education or the military representative's designee. Members shall serve two year-terms. Vacancies shall be filled by the superintendent.

(b) To the extent possible, the task force membership shall reflect representation of elementary and secondary school personnel and the neighbor islands.

(c) Based upon its discussions with affected parties, and review of curriculum, program descriptions, and other relevant school information, the task force shall submit an annual report to the superintendent on January 1 of each year containing its recommendations for better school relations between military children and other children in the various schools, the improvement of curriculum, reform of programs, and better curriculum correlations between the military and the department of education, as well as a plan of action reflecting maximum use of federal funds in schools which have large populations of students of military families. The superintendent shall implement the recommendations of the task force to the greatest extent feasible."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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