HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

33

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to magnet schools.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is a need to create more educational opportunities for children in the public school system.  While recognizing the reforms to the educational system brought about by the establishment of public charter schools, the legislature also finds that there remains room for further exploration of diverse methods of innovation in the public schools.  According to a report commissioned by Magnet Schools of America and conducted by the University of North Carolina-Charlotte's Urban Institute in 2016, there are approximately 4,340 public elementary and secondary magnet schools serving nearly 3.5 million students in the United States.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of education to establish new magnet schools or convert existing public schools to magnet schools.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to subpart C of part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Magnet schools; establishment or conversion.  (a)  As a part of the public school system, the department may:

     (1)  Establish magnet schools; or

     (2)  Convert existing public schools, except charter schools governed by chapter 302D, to magnet schools,

that provide a program of instruction designed to serve student populations with specialized interests and aptitudes.

     (b)  The department may use a selective admission process to ensure the enrollment of students who:

     (1)  Share a common set of specialized interests or aptitudes;

     (2)  Reside in one or more designated complex areas; and

     (3)  Otherwise possess diverse demographic characteristics in terms of socioeconomic background.

     (c)  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  Section 302A-101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Magnet school" means a public elementary school or public secondary school that offers a specialized curriculum with a common theme or focus, in which enrollment may be chosen as an alternative to enrollment in a school pursuant to section 302A-1143, and that is capable of attracting substantial numbers of students with diverse demographic backgrounds from a broad geographical area."

     SECTION 4.  Section 302A-1143, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-1143  Attending school in what service area.  A person of school age shall be required to attend the school of the service area, as determined by the department, in which the person resides, unless:

     (1)  The person is enrolled in a Hawaiian language medium education program [or], charter school[;], or magnet school;

     (2)  A geographic exception to attend a school in another service area is requested and granted at the discretion of the department; or

     (3)  Out-of-service-area attendance is mandated by the department or by federal law."

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Magnet Schools

 

Description:

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish magnet schools or convert existing public schools to magnet schools.

 

 

 

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