Report Title:

Education Reform

 

Description:

Establishes a joint senate-house educational governance task force to investigate and recommend changes that will make public education more community centered. (CD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3018

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1


C.D. 1

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 public education is the most important function that supported by government. Therefore, it is appropriate that the public receive a public education system that is effective in serving the educational and related needs of our public school students. The legislature further finds that the public's confidence in the system is directly linked to the involvement of the school's constituents - the parents, the students, and the school staff. Extensive research and contemporary education reform models indicate that smaller units of operation and governance provide this direct link to support the involvement of and encourage decision-making by the school's constituencies.

The legislature further finds that due to myriad and ongoing criticisms of Hawaii's public education system, it is necessary to proceed with the thoughtful creation of a more responsive public education system. This system should appropriately devolve authority for the implementation of educational policy, while retaining the State's interest in ensuring high standards for student achievement are maintained throughout the State. Furthermore, this system should support the legislature's intent to create schools that are student-centered and standards-focused, and to further support the legislature's intent to establish a system that can be held accountable for ensuring that human and financial resources committed to public education result in increasing student achievement of standards that continuously challenge our students.

The purpose of this part is to establish a joint Senate-House Educational Governance Task Force that will focus on the thoughtful development of changes to Hawaii's educational governance system, including proposed constitutional and statutory amendments, that will result in a student-centered, standards-based system encouraging constituent involvement at all levels.

SECTION 2. Joint senate-house educational governance task force; powers and duties. (a) The speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate shall convene a joint senate-house educational governance task force to determine the appropriate governance structure for Hawaii's public school system to create a system that is more student-centered and responsive to diverse communities, and that will enhance student outcomes, school accountability, and system effectiveness and efficiency.

(b) The task force shall consist of three representatives and three senators, as selected by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, respectively; provided that:

(1) One house member shall be the chair of the house committee on education;

(2) One senate member shall be the chair of the senate committee on education;

(3) One senator shall represent the minority caucus;

(4) One representative shall represent the minority caucus; and

(5) The speaker of the house and the president of the senate shall each choose one member to act as co-chair.

(c) The task force shall focus on:

(1) Board of education policies, operations, and structures;

(2) Department of education regulations, operations, and structures; and

(3) The effectiveness of the complex administrative councils, whether they should be continued or abolished, and what constitutional amendments, if any, may be necessary for their continuation beyond the sunset date of June 30, 2004.

(d) The task force shall consult with representatives of the board of education, including the chair, department of education, including the superintendent, University of Hawaii, including the president and dean of the college of education, and representatives of the Hawaii Business Roundtable, Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii Parent, Student, and Teachers Association, Hawaii state student council, and such other organizations and individuals as the task force shall deem appropriate and expeditious.

(e) The task force shall enlist the assistance of the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) and the Hawaii educational policy center (HEPC) for research and drafting of proposed legislation, to include the following:

(1) Proposed amendments to the State Constitution; and

(2) Proposed amendments to the education statutes and other applicable statutes.

The LRB and HEPC shall consult with the office of elections and the department of the attorney general regarding apportionment of new electoral districts, if such changes are recommended.

The task force shall submit its final report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2003.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2004.