HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2632

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

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 The purpose of this Act is continue the junior kindergarten program, which is scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2014, and to ensure that all of Hawaii's children have access to high-quality early learning systems. In addition, this Act would delay the scheduled change in kindergarten age from the 2014-2015 school year to the 2017-2018 school year to ensure that high-quality early learning systems are available to affected families.

     SECTION 2.  Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, is amended by repealing section 3, which amends section 302A-411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to repeal the junior kindergarten program.

     SECTION 3.  Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, is amended by amending section 1 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the period from birth to age five is the most crucial period of learning in a child's life.  This is when over eighty-five per cent of a person's brain development takes place.  Early life experiences lay the groundwork for a child's lifelong learning and behavior.  The legislature further finds that high quality early learning programs that are affordable and accessible for all children are critically important for ensuring the success of Hawaii's keiki. 

     In addition, the significant, long-term benefits realized through investments in high-quality, early learning systems have been established through decades of research.  Many studies show the importance of early childhood education.  For example, a federal Department of Education study reports that children enrolled in kindergarten increase their knowledge and skills regardless of development prior to enrollment.  Kindergarteners are expected to leave kindergarten knowing how to read and write.  First graders who did not go to kindergarten are typically developmentally behind their peers in academic and social development and are more likely to fail a grade level in elementary school.

     The purpose of this Act is, among other things, to:

     (1)  Establish the executive office on early learning;

     (2)  Establish the early learning advisory board to replace the early learning council;

     [(3) Repeal junior kindergarten programs at the end of the 2013-2014 school year;]

     [(4)] (3) Starting with the [2014-2015] 2017-2018 school year, require students to be at least five years of age on July 31 of the school year in order to attend kindergarten;

     [(5)] (4) Make an appropriation to the executive office on early learning; and

     [(6) Require an implementation plan and projected financials in order to ensure a seamless transition from the junior kindergarten program to the keiki first steps program in the 2014-2015 school year."]

     SECTION 4.  Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, is amended by amending section 15 to read as follows:

"SECTION 15.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2012[; provided that section 3 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014]."

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

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Junior Kindergarten; Kindergarten

 

Description:

Deletes the repeal of junior kindergarten program and postpones changes to kindergarten entry requirements scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2014, pursuant to Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.