Report Title:

Department of Education; Teaching Licensure Review Committee for Teachers from Outside the State

 

Description:

Establishes a committee to review teaching licensure standards to ensure effective teachers from outside the State receive a Hawaii teaching license.

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1147

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO TEACHING LICENSURE.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the department of education, the schools, and the students that the teaching force be comprised of the most effective teachers possible.  The legislature is aware that the qualities inherent in the most effective teachers are often not predictable by the pre-licensure training that teachers must undergo.    

     The legislature also finds that the present licensure process in the State of Hawaii prevents some of these effective teachers from receiving a Hawaii teaching license.  This is found to be particularly true where the teacher is from outside the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to create an avenue for effective teachers to receive a Hawaii teaching license when other avenues are closed or cumbersome.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§304A‑    Teacher coordination committee; established.  The college of education shall form a teacher education coordination committee that shall review and deliberate on the licensure worthiness of teachers who:

     (1)  Possess out-of-state teaching licenses;

     (2)  Are from states without full licensure acceptance by the Hawaii teacher standards board; and

     (3)  Received either national or state awards for teaching excellence, such as, a national certification or a teacher of the year award, or provide evidence of a minimum of five years of excellent or exceptional teacher evaluations and a professional portfolio.

     The review committee may waive all requirements that would otherwise deny the candidate immediate licensure and shall inform the Hawaii teacher standards board of their decision."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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