Report Title:

Teacher Licensing and Credentials; Native Hawaiians

Description:

Provides alternative methods of teacher licensing and credentialing. Appropriates $ to native Hawaiian educators to help them complete the national competency exam.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

441

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING AND CREDENTIALING STANDARDS.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that our State is facing a severe teacher shortage. Current data suggests that most teachers who quit do so within their first few years of teaching. Many factors keep teachers in the classroom, productive, happy, and successful. These include adequate pay, practical mentorship for novice and underachieving teachers, social prestige for the profession, administrative support, up-to-date technology, recognition of accomplished teaching, professional development, and a host of other factors. One such area is teacher licensure.

The legislature further finds that while there are many very qualified native Hawaiian educators, a significant number of native Hawaiian educators have experienced difficulties successfully completing the national competency examination, PRAXIS.

The purpose of this Act is to provide alternative methods of teacher licensing and credentialing. It also provides funds to assist native Hawaiian educators to obtain graduate and post-graduate assistance to enhance their ability to successfully complete the national competency examination.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-802, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) In the development of its standards, the board shall consider the existing teacher applicant pool that is available in the State and the level of the qualification of these applicants, as well as the nature and availability of existing preservice higher education teacher training programs. The board shall also consider, develop, and implement alternative routes to licensing[, such as national teacher examinations] that certify competency in subject areas or programs taught in the public schools."

SECTION 3. 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 2005-2006, and $       , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the purpose of providing graduate and post-graduate financial assistance to native Hawaiian educators to enhance their ability to successfully complete the national competency examination.

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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