STAND. COM. REP. NO. 48

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 601

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 601 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for an electronic book pilot program for students in one public intermediate or middle school to be selected by the Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Education.

 

     Your Committee finds that there are schools within the Department of Education that currently use notebook computers and electronic tools for learning.  For example, Kalani High School already uses online content and may provide a model for moving toward greater use of electronic materials in the public schools.  Your Committee finds that expanding the types of technology available for the pilot program would provide the Department with the flexibility to also select tools other than electronic books that would enhance learning for participants of the pilot program.  Your Committee encourages the Department of Education to seek alternative additional sources of funding for the pilot program.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing all references to "electronic books" to "electronic-based curriculum".  This amendment will broaden the scope of electronic materials and formats that can be used as part of the pilot 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. 601, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 601, 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,

 

 

 

____________________________

JILL TOKUDA, Chair