STAND. COM. REP. NO.  866

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 224

      H.D. 3

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 224, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to more accurately assess student achievement in the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program by requiring the Department of Education to:

 

     (1)  Develop annual assessments in the Hawaiian language for specified subject areas and grade levels for the purposes of educational accountability under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended; and

 

     (2)  Establish procedures for the development of the assessments.

 

     The Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Governing Board of Ke Kula o Samuel M. Kamakau Laboratory Public Charter School, Aha Kauleo Executive Council, Na Koa Ikaika, Parent Board for Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue, Kamaaha Education Initiative, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Education, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, and a concerned individual provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 224, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 224, H.D. 3.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair