THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

298

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to schools.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that despite having a high school graduation rate of eighty-one per cent, only fifty-six per cent of Hawaii's public school graduates continued on to post-secondary education in 2015.  The legislature further finds that high school students in Hawaii would benefit from precisely aligning curriculum to workforce readiness which depends upon close collaboration between the public school system, a community college, and one or more industry employer near the school complex to ensure they receive the industry-based skills and certification required for employment post-graduation and to live, learn, work, and play in the community.

     The legislature additionally finds that collaboration between educators and industry allows students to graduate from high school with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate's degree.  Students may also earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate's degree.  The legislature also finds that similar models recently established in Connecticut, Illinois, and New York are showing promise in graduating more high school students with career-ready skills to meet an industry's workforce needs.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a workforce readiness program within the department of education.

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

     "§302A-    Workforce readiness program; establishment.  (a)  There is established within the department a workforce readiness program.

     (b)  The department shall designate schools to participate in the program.

     (c)  Workforce readiness program schools shall:

     (1)  Include grades nine through fourteen;

     (2)  Enable students to graduate with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate's degree;

     (3)  Give students opportunities to earn pre-apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to an associate's degree; and

     (4)  Integrate high school courses, college courses, and certificate programs that are informed by current and projected industry standards and focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with mentoring, job shadowing, internships, pre-apprenticeship training, and other workplace education experiences throughout grades nine through fourteen.

     (d)  The department shall coordinate with the University of Hawaii and enter into contracts with industry employers near the school complex as required to develop and implement the workforce readiness program.

     (e)  The department shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 to carry out the purposes of this section."

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§304A-    Workforce readiness program; coordination.  The University of Hawaii shall coordinate with the department of education to develop and implement the workforce readiness program established under section 302A-  ."

     SECTION 4.  Section 302A-1134, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Unless otherwise required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400, et seq., no person who is twenty years of age or over on the first instructional day of the school year shall be eligible to attend a public school; provided that if a person reaches twenty years of age after the first instructional day of the school year, the person shall be eligible to attend public school for the full school year[.]; provided that if a person is enrolled at a school as part of the workforce readiness program established under section 302A-  , the person shall be eligible to attend public school unless the person is twenty-two years of age or over on the first instructional day of the school year."

     SECTION 5.  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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purposes of this Act, including the hiring of       full-time equivalent (   .00 FTE) positions.

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

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 5 shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Workforce Readiness School Program; Department of Education; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a workforce readiness program within the department of education to allow students to graduate from an extended high school enrollment with a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate's degree.  Appropriates moneys to develop and implement the program.

 

 

 

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