Report Title:

Technology Workforce Development; Appropriation; Project EAST

 

Description:

Appropriates $     in FY 2007-2008 and $    in FY 2008-2009 as a grant-in-aid to Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., to maintain existing project EAST schools and to expand the project EAST program to additional schools.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1630

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to technology workforce development.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the project EAST (environmental and spatial technology) initiative started as a pilot program in the Maui district high schools during the summer of 2000, which later moved to Hawaii county and then to a middle school on Kauai.  Project EAST holds great potential for assisting Hawaii's public schools in developing important critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills in Hawaii's youth that are necessary for them to succeed in high technology-based jobs.  Project EAST integrates cutting edge technology, such as computer-assisted drafting, geographic information systems, global positioning systems, as well as computer graphic applications, such as soft image, into the educational curriculum.  The goal of this initiative is to prepare students for the information technology age by providing a comprehensive project-based and student-centered learning program where the students are responsible for their own learning.

     Seven Project EAST labs have been established in Hawaii – Chiefess Kamakahelei middle school on Kauai; Maui high school, Baldwin high school, King Kekaulike high school, Lahainaluna high school, and Kihei charter school on Maui; and Kea`au high school on Hawaii.  Since 2001, Hawaii students have won a number of awards at the National EAST Conference, competing successfully against approximately two hundred schools in six other states.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to maintain the project EAST program in existing schools and to expand the program to schools statewide.

     SECTION 2.  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 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for a grant-in-aid to the Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii, Inc., to maintain its project EAST program in existing schools and to expand the program to schools statewide; provided that no funds shall be expended unless matching funds are provided in the manner specified in section 302A-1314 (p), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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