Report Title:

Education; Language Requirements

Description:

Mandates a second language requirement for public high school students. Requires certain second language programs of state interest be given priority in disbursement of state funding.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2778

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. The legislature finds that Hawaii is in a unique location that attracts visitors and businesses from around the world. Advances in technology have made it easier to communicate with people throughout the world and can facilitate the learning and use of foreign languages. Hawaii's location, combined with the advances in technology and communication, make it imperative for students to be able to communicate in a second besides English. Towards this end, the legislature believes that all students, as the future citizens and guardians of this State, should study a second language so they can be best prepared to interact with and succeed in the global economy.

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

"Part . Second language requirement

§302A-    Second language instruction requirement. It shall be a requirement for the conferment of a high school diploma at any secondary school in the public school system to have completed two hundred eighty hours of instruction in a second language. As used in this part, "second language" means any oral language spoken as a means of communication, excluding English, but not excluding American sign language. As used in this section, "high school diploma" means the degree of terminal completion of the twelfth grade conferred by a school in the public school system.

§302A-    Priority funding. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, priority in funding from the State shall be given to second languages of state interest, which include the following: Hawaiian; Ilocano; Tagalog; Visayan; Japanese; Korean; Cantonese; Mandarin; Vietnamese; Pacific island languages; French; and Spanish."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $80,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, to augment existing funding for second language programs in the department of education in order to assist with the implementation of this Act. Funds appropriated in this Act shall be used only for the following purposes:

(1) Salary of part-time teachers for second language programs; and

(2) Implementation of second language classes using distance learning technology.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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