Report Title:

Educational Assistants

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the department of education to develop a revised teacher allocation methodology and to compensate persons in newly created positions. (SD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

537

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO Special EDUCATION.

 

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

SECTION 1. On July 1, 2001, the Hawaii department of education will assume fiscal and administrative responsibility for the delivery of statutorily mandated mental health services for students who require such services in order to benefit from their educational opportunities.

The legislature recognizes that the current Special Education Staffing Guidelines of the Hawaii department of education (HDOE) do not adequately support the staffing needs to provide services for students with disabilities. This sentiment is also reflected by the Felix Consent Decree, which requires that a new teacher allocation methodology be developed. This revised teacher allocation methodology, as mandated by the Consent Decree must:

(1) Give both general and special education teachers full credit for all children in their classes;

(2) Allocate teachers in a manner to facilitate reduction in class size;

(3) Change the ratio of teachers to educational assistants (EA) over the course of the remaining months of the Consent Decree from one EA:two special education teachers to one EA:one special education teacher; and

(4) Be implemented during the 2001-2002 and subsequent school years.

The purpose of this Act is to meet the staffing needs mandated by the Felix Consent Decree and appropriate funds to the Hawaii department of education for newly created positions. This Act provides appropriations for additional Educational Assistants (EA’s), Administrative Support positions, Program Coordination positions, School Social Workers, School Psychologist positions, Student and Family Support Workers positions, Nurse Practitioner positions; Data Processing Analyst positions, and relevant equipment for the above mentioned positions.

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 2001-2002, for:

Educational Assistants (EA’s) at $ ;

Administrative Support positions at $ ;

Program Coordination positions at $ ;

School Psychologist positions at $ ;

School Social Worker positions at $ ;

Student and Family Support Worker positions at $ ;

Nurse Practitioner positions at $ ;

Data Processing Analyst positions at $ ;

And related operating expenses at $ .

SECTION 3. 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, 2001.