STAND. COM. REP. NO.180

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 821

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 821 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR LAPTOPS FOR LEARNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for the "laptops for learning" program.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by IBM Corporation, Communications-Pacific, Inc., Axean Pacific, ROSExpress, six teachers and three private citizens. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Education (DOE).

Your Committee finds that the "Laptops for Learning" program allows students in low socioeconomic areas to purchase laptop computers. Your Committee also finds that laptops instill confidence in students in a way that makes them more productive, and allows them to be a contributing member of the technological world. This program creates a more interactive and engaging learning environment for students, and with technology being a very important and integrated part of learning, your Committee wants to continue the commitment and expand the program to include loaner laptops.

Your Committee has amended this measure by expanding the program to include loaners and requiring the DOE to conduct a study on the effects of the "Laptops for Learning" program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 821, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 821, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair