Report Title:

Department of Education; Quality Schools and Teachers

Description:

Requires development and implementation of systemwide information technology plan to assure student proficiency; requires implementation of recruitment and retention program for hard-to-fill teacher positions; requires implementation of a systemwide school administrator training academy in partnership with business community; requires establishment of rewards and assistance program for individuals, individual schools and school complexes who meet performance goals or fail to achieve performance goals.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

349

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. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding four new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-   Student access to information technology. Beginning with the 2003-2005 biennium, the superintendent shall develop and implement a systemwide information technology plan to ensure that all public school students will become progressively competent in the use of computer technology as provided in section 302A-1128. The superintendent shall submit to the board of education the information technology plan, including information, by school complex, identifying the current level of financial and staff resources available to implement the plan. Upon review of the plan, the board of education shall include in its education budget any additional resources necessary to implement the plan.

§302A-   Recruitment and retention of hard-to-fill classroom teacher positions. (a) The superintendent shall direct the development and implementation of a recruitment and retention incentive program for hard-to-fill classroom teacher positions. The program shall provide for a one-time recruitment bonus upon hiring of the classroom teacher, a one-time bonus upon successful completion of three years of classroom teaching in a hard-to-fill position with the department, and a one-time bonus upon successful completion of five years of classroom teaching in a hard-to-fill position with the department. The superintendent shall determine which teaching positions qualify as hard-to-fill based upon the number of vacant positions and the turnover rate of classroom teachers hired to fill such positions.

(b) The superintendent shall submit to the board of education an annual cost estimate of the numbers of recruitment and retention bonuses that will need to be paid during each school year, and the board shall submit this amount as part of its education budget submission to the governor and the legislature.

§302A-   School administrator training academy. (a) The superintendent, in consultation with the community partnerships coordinating council established in section 302A-   , shall develop and implement a school administrator training academy for active and potential school administrators. The coordinating council shall identify as training academy faculty members, representatives from community-based organizations and private businesses interested in donating their knowledge about and experience with successful organizational and business practices.

(b) The training academy shall focus on providing leadership and management skills to assist school administrators in the operation of a school campus and coordination of resources within a school complex. The training shall include, but not be limited to, developing skill sets in the areas of personnel and financial management, procurement, and facilities management.

(c) The superintendent shall annually evaluate participation in the school administrator training academy and submit the evaluation to the community partnerships coordinating council for their review.

§302A-   Quality schools and teachers; rewards and assistance. (a) Each individual school and school complex shall be eligible for annual rewards or assistance based upon achievement of their annual performance goals articulated in the biennial education budget. The performance goals shall be linked to student achievement of the Hawaii content and performance standards. These performance goals shall be based upon individual school's achievement of the content and performance standards within their respective school complex. These performance goals shall be measured using statewide student assessments and other indicators of achievement of the goals adopted by each school complex.

(b) The superintendent shall develop a system of rewards and assistance and identify the financial resources necessary to implement the system. Any rewards or assistance provided shall be based upon an evaluation and recommendations by a team of teachers and administrators working within the school complex. Rewards or assistance may be offered to an individual employee, a school, or a school complex.

(c) The superintendent shall submit recommendations for rewards and assistance to the board of education for review. The board shall include as part of the education budget, the amounts required for implementation of the rewards and assistance program. The superintendent shall also consult with the community partnerships coordinating council regarding availability of community resources for rewards and assistance.

(d) For purposes of this section:

"Assistance" means a program of targeted professional development within an individual school or school complex to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of staff to improve student achievement as reflected in the individual school or school complex performance goals.

"Reward" means a monetary or non-monetary recognition of successful student achievement of the individual school or school complex performance goals."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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