STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1413

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 82

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 82 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A STATE PLAN FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Education to develop and implement a computer science curricula plan statewide for all students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Microsoft Corporation, Code.org, Women in Technology (Maui Economic Development Board), and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii System.

 

     Your Committee is well aware of the need for skilled information technology employees in this State.  In recent years, your Committee has received numerous budget requests from state departments for appropriations to fund information technology positions.  Based upon the information supporting those requests, your Committee believes that information technology employees in both the public and private sectors, along with information technology consultants, are well compensated.  Your Committee further believes that the information technology field will continue to offer well-compensated jobs and other opportunities in the future for public school graduates.

 

     Your Committee requests the Department of Education to evaluate the resources necessary to effectuate the intent of this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 82 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair