Report Title:

Comprehensive Student Support System; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates $1 for positions in the comprehensive school support system for schools that are designated as special needs schools. (HB783 HD1)

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

783

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SUPPORT PROGRAM.

 

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

SECTION 1. The comprehensive student support system is the department of education’s construct for ensuring a continuum of support and services that provides a social, emotional, and physical environment that is conducive to learning. This continuum begins in the inclusive classroom, with differentiated classroom practices as the base of support for each student. This support extends beyond the classroom to include school and community resources, initiatives, and programs as well as appropriate services procured from private providers.

The comprehensive student support system operates in all school settings, linking students and families to the resources of their communities, the department of education, the department of health, and other governmental and private agencies and groups.

The focus of the comprehensive student support system is on prevention and early intervention, and provides students, families, teachers, principals, and others with the support they need to ensure that students succeed. The comprehensive student support system ensures that schools have the procedures and ability to respond to a broad range of student needs. The service delivery process is designed to match the severity, complexity, and frequency of students' needs. When school-based support is provided in a timely and effective manner, fewer students require more complex or intensive services.

Certain schools require more attention than others from the comprehensive school support system. The special needs school designation is one that is used to target resources where they are required most. This designation is reserved for schools characterized by high percentages of at-risk students and students who are chronically poor achievers. The needs of these students often stem from environmental factors beyond the control of the school.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the comprehensive student support system in schools and school complexes that have received a special needs designation.

SECTION 2. For the purposes of this Act, special needs school designations shall be made by assessing the socio-economic status through indicators including but not limited to:

(1) The number or percentages of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch;

(2) The number of students who are enrolled in English as a second language classes;

(3) The number of students residing in homes with single parents or those who receive public assistance;

(4) Stanford achievement test scores;

(5) Abseteeism rates; and

(6) Number or frequency of disciplinary offenses.

The department of education shall acknowledge that schools designated as special needs schools require more resources and professional staff to provide the support needed to help students overcome barriers to learning. School complexes receiving a special needs designation shall be provided with comprehensive school support positions on a ratio of one to every two hundred fifty students.

SECTION 3. For the purposes of this Act, the principal at each special needs school shall designate as part of the comprehensive school support system non-teaching positions including but not limited to:

(1) Parent-community network center staff;

(2) Student activities coordinators;

(3) School health services staff; and

(4) Intramural and extramural sports staff.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 for additional staff for the comprehensive student support system in schools or school complexes designated as special needs schools or complexes.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.