Report Title:

Teacher Recruitment; University of Hawaii; Appropriations

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the college of education of the University of Hawaii to develop an international exchange program to bring qualified foreign intellectuals to teach in Hawaii public schools.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1637

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

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 legislature finds that the State has explored various ways to attract qualified individuals to teach in Hawaii's public schools.  While there have been some successes with expanding the pool of qualified teachers, a severe teacher shortage still exists statewide.  The legislature also finds that Hawaii's teacher shortage can be mitigated by inviting talented, motivated, and qualified foreign intellectuals to teach in our public schools.

     The legislature further finds that the contributions of foreign intellectuals from the international community will be an asset to Hawaii's current and future generations by helping students become well-equipped to meet the scientific and technological demands of the twenty-first century and promoting a greater awareness of the global community, thereby leading to increased cooperation, prosperity, and peace between the United States and other countries.

     The purpose of this Act, which shall be known as the International Educational Friendship Act of 2007, is to appropriate funds to support the development of an international exchange program within the college of education of the University of Hawaii to proactively recruit, educate, and credential foreign intellectuals to serve as teachers in the Hawaii public school system.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $450,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the development of an international exchange program to recruit, educate, and credential foreign intellectuals to serve as teachers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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