Report Title:

Community Colleges; Middle College

Description:

Enables community colleges to establish middle colleges for the education of high school juniors and seniors to receive a high school diploma and take community college courses; makes appropriation.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2277

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many high school students may be disinterested in continuing on with high school to receive their high school diploma, for whatever reason. As a motivation and an incentive for them to continue with their high school education rather than dropping out of school, the concept of the middle college was developed that allows high school students in their junior and senior years of high school to take high school courses at community college campuses in order to receive their high school diploma and simultaneously enroll in community college courses. Middle college is an opportunity to re-engage students to earn their high school diploma and to facilitate their choice and preparation for a career path and for exploring college options.

The purpose of this Act is to allow the department of education to establish a middle college on community college campuses with appropriate resources.

SECTION 2. Chapter 305, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§305-   Middle colleges. (a) Not later than the fall semester of 2005, a community college campus may establish a middle college for the education of high school students who have completed the sophomore year. The middle college shall provide instruction, on the community college campus, for the core of courses that satisfy high school graduation requirements. In addition, a student enrolled in the middle college may take a maximum of six college credits each semester, either to fulfill high school graduation requirements or college credits. College credits may be in academic courses or technical courses.

(b) A student applying for admission into a middle college shall be required, at a minimum, to have parental or guardian permission to enroll, and to submit to an interview conducted by the department of education, community college, or middle college, or any combination thereof. Enrollment in the middle school shall not be limited by admission test, high school grades, or career interests.

(c) A high school student enrolled in a high school course at the middle college shall be taught by a high school teacher. If the student also enrolls in a community college course, the course shall be taught by a community college faculty.

(d) The middle college program may operate in conjunction with the running start program under sections 302A-401 and 304-67.5. A student enrolled in the middle college shall be deemed in compliance with section 302A-1132."

SECTION 3. 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 2004-2005, for the establishment of a middle college on each community college campus.

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

SECTION 4. 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 2004-2005, for the establishment of a middle college on each community college campus.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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