THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2589

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

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 vocational, technical, and career pathway programs equip students with the skills necessary for in-demand jobs within the modern labor market.  Linking education with real-world activities, the programs emphasize innovation within high-growth industries and provide students with opportunities to explore career options.

     The purpose of this Act is to expand vocational, technical, and career pathway programs and ensure that secondary school students have the opportunity to participate in these types of programs.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Vocational, technical, and career pathway programs; secondary schools.  (a)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, at least one secondary school in each school complex area shall provide students with the opportunity to participate in a vocational, technical, and career pathway program.  Students who successfully complete all course requirements of a vocational, technical, or career pathway program of study, including all graduation requirements, shall be recognized by the department.

     (b)  A student participating in a public secondary school's vocational, technical, or career pathway program may complete up to fifty per cent of their graduation requirements in vocational, technical, or career pathway courses.

     (c)  At any secondary school offering a vocational, technical, and career pathway program, grade nine students may be given the opportunity to earn credit in a course that describes and explains the school's vocational, technical, or career pathway program.

     (d)  Secondary school students participating in vocational, technical, or career pathway programs may complete a for-credit internship or apprenticeship in grade twelve, subject to department approval and review.  The department shall develop criteria for allowing qualified individuals and businesses to provide internship and apprenticeship opportunities to students.

     (e)  Secondary school students shall have the opportunity to participate in a vocational, technical, or career pathway program in any complex area, subject to department approval.

     (f)  Vocational, technical, and career pathway programs may include courses in core content areas.  For courses in core content areas, dual credit may be given for graduation requirements and vocational, technical, and career pathway program requirements.

     (g)  Teachers providing instruction in vocational, technical, or career pathway programs at any secondary school shall be highly qualified.

     (h)  Teachers who are certified and licensed to teach in a vocational, technical, or career pathway program shall receive annually up to $1,500 to purchase, at their discretion, instructional materials and equipment to support student learning."

     SECTION 3.  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 2016-2017 for the department of education to provide up to $1,500 to each vocational, technical, or career pathway program teacher for instructional materials and equipment to support student learning.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Education; Vocational, Technical, and Career Pathway Program; Secondary Schools; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds and designates the department of education to implement a program of study for students to gain vocational and technical training.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.