HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

152

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of education to convene a working group to review and report on the department of education's progress toward, AND NEXT STEPS FOR IMPLEMENTation of, an alternative certification program for school leaders, PURSUANT TO TITLE 8, CHAPTER 65, HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, strong school leadership is fundamental to creating an exceptional learning environment; and

 

     WHEREAS, the anticipated upcoming retirements of many current public school principals will likely exacerbate the need for dynamic new leaders; and

 

     WHEREAS, visionary leaders with fresh perspectives are more important than ever as changes to the local and global economies require students to graduate with a future-oriented set of skills; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education's current system for hiring school leaders may unnecessarily restrict qualified and talented applicants from charter, private, or out-of-state schools; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Administrative Rules have articulated the requirements for an alternative certification program for school leaders since 2012; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to convene a working group to review and report on the Department of Education's progress toward, and next steps for implementation of, an alternative certification program for school leaders, pursuant to title 8, chapter 65, Hawaii Administrative Rules; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group's review and report is requested to include the following:

 

     (1)  The number of retirement-eligible public school principals in the 2020-2021 school year;

 

     (2)  Steps taken by the Department of Education to implement an alternative certification program for school leaders;

 

     (3)  If an alternative certification program has been implemented, the number of school leaders who have completed this alternative certification program since 2012;

 

     (4)  The degree of demand for an alternative certification program for school leaders;

 

     (5)  Whether any institutions have applied to be authorized providers and what actions the Department of Education has taken to recruit or respond to potential providers;

 

     (6)  The states or programs, if any, with which the Department of Education consulted regarding the administration of an alternative certification program for school leaders; and

 

     (7)  If an alternative certification program has not been fully implemented, the next steps necessary for implementing such a program for school leaders; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to consist of the following members:

 

     (1)  One member of the Senate, to be designated by the President of the Senate and who shall serve as co‑chair of the working group;

     (2)  One member of the House of Representatives, to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;

 

     (3)  The Superintendent of Education, or the Superintendent's designee; and

 

     (4)  The Chair of the Board of Education, or the Chair's designee; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the co-chairs of the working group are requested to invite the following representatives to participate as members of the working group:

 

     (1)  A Department of Education complex area superintendent;

 

     (2)  A Department of Education principal;

 

     (3)  A representative of the Department of Education's Leadership Institute;

 

     (4)  A participant in the Department of Education's Hawaii Certification Institute for School Leaders;

 

     (5)  A representative of the Hawaii State Teachers Association;

 

     (6)  A representative of the Hawaii Government Employees Association;

 

     (7)  A representative of an education advocacy nonprofit organization;

 

     (8)  A representative of the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools;

 

     (9)  A representative of the Hawaii Public Charter School Commission;

 

    (10)  A representative of a university education administration department;

    (11)  A representative of a local philanthropic organization;

 

    (12)  An expert in the field of alternative certification of educators;

 

    (13)  An expert in the field of distance learning; and

 

    (14)  Any other individuals the co-chairs recommend; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group, with the assistance of the Legislative Reference Bureau, is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall serve without compensation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall dissolve on January 30, 2022; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Superintendent of Education.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Working Group; Department of Education; Alternative Certification Program for School Leaders