THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

115

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A PILOT PROJECT TO ALLOW A SCHOOL COMPLEX TO IDENTIFY CRITICAL DEPARTMENT RULES AND POLICIES THAT IMPEDE EFFECTIVE DECISION-MAKING, ADMINISTERING, AND TEACHING AND TO OPERATE FREE OF THOSE RULES AND POLICIES.

 

 


     WHEREAS, the key to Hawaii's future success is a strong public school system that equips our keiki with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to succeed; and

 

     WHEREAS, school administrators and teachers have the most direct responsibility to provide students with those knowledge, skills, and experiences; and

 

     WHEREAS, school administrators and teachers may not have the authority or ability to provide certain learning opportunities to students because of Department of Education (Department) rules and policies; and

 

     WHEREAS, charter schools have been given the opportunity to operate free of many of the department rules and policies; and

 

     WHEREAS, administrators and teachers have expressed that the provision of more authority and opportunity to administrators and teachers would enhance learning in the schools and result in increased accountability; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to establish at least one three year pilot model complex to include one high school, a middle school, and at least one elementary school, which shall:

 

     (1)  In year one, identify department rules and policies that most impede its ability and authority to promote effective learning for its students;

 

     (2)  In year two, after consultation with the Department of Education, the teachers' union, and the principals' union and consideration of compliance and health and safety concerns, be allowed to operate free of identified and agreed upon department rules and policies; and

 

     (3)  In year three, assess and evaluate the impact of the pilot project and prepare a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2011; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

DOE; Model School Complex