Report Title:

Academy of Hawaii; Gifted & Talented Students; Magnet E-Academy

Description:

Requires the DOE to establish the academy of Hawaii for gifted and talented students in order to develop the potential of students who have demonstrated superior achievement or possess the potential for superior achievement through the provision of appropriate educational opportunities.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2568

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to education.

 

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

SECTION 1. Academy of Hawaii. (a) The department of education shall establish the academy of Hawaii for gifted and talented students. The purpose of the academy shall be to develop the potential of students who have demonstrated superior achievement or possess the potential for superior achievement through the provision of appropriate educational opportunities.

(b) The academy shall be located on the West Oahu campus of the University of Hawaii and include the existing students, faculty, and staff of the department of education's Magnet Electronic Academy (E-Academy) and learning centers and other programs specified by the superintendent of education.

SECTION 2. Admissions and placement committee. (a) The academy of Hawaii shall have an admissions and placement committee composed of at least three members, one of whom shall be the academy's principal or the principal's designee. The principal shall appoint the committee's members from among teachers and counselors, educational officers and school administrators, professional experts, and adults and parents.

(b) The responsibilities of the committee shall include:

(1) Reviewing the student profiles of eligible applicants;

(2) Rating each applicant using an individual student rating matrix form, or case study form;

(3) Recommending the selection of students for admission to the academy; and

(4) Periodically reviewing students' progress for possible revision of their educational setting and program.

SECTION 3. Evaluation procedures. Students applying for admission to the academy shall be evaluated in accordance with the following procedures:

(1) The academy shall initially screen applicants by using multiple factors, including test scores, nominations, students' products, and past records;

(2) The academy shall administer additional assessment instruments to those applicants identified as being in need of further assessment;

(3) The academy shall compile data on applicants by using a matrix or case study form;

(4) The committee shall review the data and recommend to the academy's principal or the principal's designee the selection of applicants for admission to the academy; and

(5) The principal or the principal's designee shall make the selections and obtain consent for admission to the academy.

SECTION 4. Criteria for selection. Students who are selected for admission to the academy shall meet the following two criteria:

(1) Demonstrate, or show potential for, superior achievement through available assessment instruments, observations, and rating scales in one of the following areas of giftedness and talent:

(A) Intellectual ability;

(B) Specific academic ability;

(C) Creative ability;

(D) Leadership capability;

(E) Psychomotor ability; or

(F) Performing and visual arts ability; and

(2) Meet the standards and requirements for admission to the academy through additional factors and measures.

SECTION 5. Placement and programming. (a) The placement of students enrolled in the academy shall be in appropriate educational settings in accordance with the academy's programs, as approved by the complex area superintendent. The placement of a student shall be made with the consent of a parent, guardian, or other person having the responsibility for, or care of, the student.

(b) Programs for students enrolled in the academy shall be flexible and provide special emphases as follows:

(1) Progression of students at their own rate and in accordance with their special interests and talents;

(2) Diversity of high-level learning experiences in school and community;

(3) Time to be with other students of similar ability so they may learn from each other; and

(4) Guidance activities to understand themselves better, to develop interpersonal skills, and to make the best use of their educational opportunities.

SECTION 6. Recordkeeping. Records shall be maintained and updated yearly for each student enrolled in the academy. The records shall be made a part of the student's permanent educational record.

SECTION 7. Reevaluation. A reevaluation may be requested after a student has been enrolled in the academy for at least thirty days, if the student, teacher, or parent, guardian, or other person having the responsibility for, or care of, the student does not consider a placement to be appropriate and of benefit to the student. The reevaluation may result in maintaining or revising the student's educational setting or program.

SECTION 8. The department of education shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this Act; provided that the rules shall be exempt from the public notice and hearing requirements of chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 9. 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, to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 10. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education.

SECTION 11. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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