Report Title:

Education; Kindergarten Entrance Age

Description:

Changes the minimum age for entering kindergarten from age 5 by 12/31 to age 5 before 10/16 beginning with the 2005-2006 school year and age 5 before 8/1 beginning with the 2006-2007 school year. Requires cost savings to be used to expand or supplement early education programs.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

732

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

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 studies nationally and locally have found substantial differences between "older" students and "younger" students within a grade, in terms of their performance and ability. Additional data relating to students' birth dates and specific learning disabilities have been analyzed locally. Analysis of March 1998 statewide data indicated a correlation between birth month and learning disability certification. It was found that a disproportionate number of those born in the latter half of the calendar year (July through December) were classified as learning disabled. Students at greatest risk are boys born between July and December. They account for a disproportionate number of students who are retained at their present grade level, have school adjustment problems, or are certified as learning disabled. Comparisons between Hawaii students and students in other states on national achievement tests in later grades are likely to be more equitable if the entry age of Hawaii students is more closely aligned to that of most other states.

In light of these and other findings, the legislature believes that a change in the minimum age requirement for entrance to kindergarten will provide a more level playing field for students born in the latter half of the calendar year. The temporary inconvenience or disruption to some parents and the education system must be weighed against the potential long-term benefit to the child and the cost savings to society that result as enrollment in special education and other remedial programs decline. The legislature further finds that, in the long run, changing the kindergarten entrance age will prove to be sound public policy that will result in the most good for the majority of the general public.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to advance the cutoff date for kindergarten to October 16 beginning with the 2005-2006 school year and to August 1 beginning with the 2006-2007 school year. This Act also requires that the funds saved by the consequent reduction in the number of teachers for school years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 to be used to expand or supplement early education programs as determined by the department of education and the department of human services.

SECTION 2. Section 302A-411, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The department shall establish and maintain kindergartens with a program of instruction as a part of the public school system; provided that attendance shall not be mandatory. No child shall attend any kindergarten unless the child will be at least five years of age [on or] before [December 31] January 1 of the school year; provided that [a child attending a school that convenes after the regular school schedule shall be five years of age on or before one hundred twenty-five days following the date the school convenes; and provided further that the board shall develop informational guidance to promote the understanding of a child's readiness for kindergarten.]:

(1) Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, no child shall attend any kindergarten unless the child will be at least five years of age before October 16 of the school year; and

(2) Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, no child shall attend any kindergarten unless the child will be at least five years of age before August 1 of the school year."

SECTION 3. It is the intent of the legislature that the cost savings created by changing the cutoff date for kindergarten to October 16 beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, and to August 1 beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, be used to expand or supplement early education programs as determined by the department of education and the department of human services. The director of finance shall determine the amounts of savings realized and report those amounts to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Beginning July 1, 2006, all cumulative funds saved as the result of this Act shall be committed to, or used by the department of education and the department of human services for early education programs and other program enhancements as determined by the superintendent and approved by the board of education.

SECTION 4. Notwithstanding section 89-19, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any collective bargaining agreement to the contrary, a tenured classroom teacher who is displaced as a result of this Act shall have the first right of refusal regarding the teacher's former teaching position and shall be entitled to return to the teacher's former position within two years of being displaced; provided the size of the population in that grade level warrants the addition of another teacher. In the event of a conflict between this section and section 89-19, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any collective bargaining agreement, this section shall control.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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