Report Title:

Innovative Education Programs.

Description:

Appropriates funds for various innovative education programs in the public schools.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2850

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to education.

 

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

SECTION 1. In its mission statement of 1993, the board of education stated: "The public school system must provide all students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, respect for learning and attributes necessary for them to become productive and responsible citizens." Despite these lofty goals, public education in Hawaii has not fulfilled its mission over the last several decades.

The foremost purpose of public education is the development of maximum learning in all students. This development is essential to the creation of a sound and flourishing economy, engaged citizenry, and a vibrant cultural community. Education must be flexible to provide a relevant curriculum in the classrooms that reflects changes in our increasingly globalized society.

In the twenty-first century, change is the rule and technology is essential to this change. Communication and information skills must be students' primary tools. National research has shown that there are many successful programs that use technology to meet these ends. Research has also clearly shown that students must be motivated and engaged in real-life curriculum if learning is to occur. Education must react flexibly and change in order to prepare Hawaii's students to meet the diverse challenges that face them in this new century.

Currently, there are many successful, innovative programs that are available for our public educators to utilize. These programs have proven successful with populations similar to that of Hawaii. Despite the promise that these programs hold, they have been met with resistance by the existing educational system and have received limited funding.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education for the implementation of new, innovative, and technology-based programs that develop students' critical and creative thinking skills.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for schools to implement programs including:

(1) Cyberspace Entrepreneurs;

(2) Success for All;

(3) Laptops for Learning;

(4) Various technology-based curriculum programs;

(5) America's Choice;

(6) Core Knowledge; and

(7) Riverdeep Interactive Learning and Super Teaching.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:

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