HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1882

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that schools have a responsibility to prepare students for success in a globally competitive world.

     During the 2013-2014 school year, the legislature appropriated $8,200,000 to the department of education to implement the access learning pilot program.  In 2013, teachers in eight schools were provided laptop computers and professional development opportunities to assist in integrating technology into their classrooms.  In 2014, laptop computers were provided to students.  A study of the pilot program by the University of Hawaii West Oahu found that teachers, students, and parents believed that classroom technology significantly enhanced the quality of public education in Hawaii.

     The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds to ensure that students have fair access to technology in all public schools.

     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 2018-2019 for laptop computers or tablets, as deemed necessary by the department of education, to be used by teachers and students for digital teaching and learning.

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

PART II

     SECTION 3.  The legislature finds that funding for after-school programs is needed for intermediate and middle school students.  Approximately half of first time juvenile arrests are in the middle and intermediate school age group, and most of the behaviors resulting in arrest occur between 3:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.  Investing in after-school programs is a tremendous opportunity, as it currently costs Hawaii taxpayers $200,000 per year for each child housed at the youth correctional facility.

     The legislature also finds that students of native Hawaiian background are being arrested at a higher rate than any other ethnic background.  According to the State of Hawaii's juvenile justice information system, native Hawaiian youths had the most number of juvenile arrests and individual youths arrested between 2000 and 2010:  forty-two per cent of all juvenile arrests and thirty-three per cent of individuals arrested were of native Hawaiian background.

     The legislature further finds that more than a decade of research confirms that quality after-school programs inspire and motivate children to learn, support children's social and emotional growth, and help raise academic achievement.  A study of outcomes associated with participation in after-school programs found that students regularly participating in after-school programs during their elementary school years showed a variety of gains including narrowing the math achievement gap at grade five between high- and low-income students, improving work habits and self-sufficiency, and reducing the number of school absences.  Furthermore, seventy-two per cent of parents surveyed in Hawaii agree that after-school programs help working parents keep their jobs.

     However, each day after the school day ends, seventeen per cent of Hawaii's school-aged youth, or approximately 36,500 children, are responsible for taking care of themselves.  States have supported policies that expand learning opportunities to advance a range of state education and youth goals.  These opportunities, known as Expanded Learning Opportunities, offer structured learning environments outside the traditional school-day hours through before- and after-school programs.  They provide a range of enrichment and learning activities in various subjects, including arts; civic engagement; language; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

     The purpose of this part is to fund after-school programs at intermediate and middle schools designated as Title I schools pursuant to the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended, that have a high number of native Hawaiian students and that currently do not receive state or federal funding for after-school programs.

     SECTION 4.  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 2018-2019 for intermediate and middle school after-school programs, to be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $           for after-school programs at Kalanianaole elementary and intermediate school;

     (2)  $           for after-school programs at Kapaa middle school;

     (3)  $           for after-school programs at Konawaena middle school; and

     (4)  $           for after-school programs at Waimea Canyon middle school.

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

PART III

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

DOE; Public Schools; Access to Technology; Laptop Computers and Tablets; After-school Programs; Native Hawaiian Students; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys for laptop computers or tablets to be used by teachers and students for digital teaching and learning.  Appropriates moneys for after-school programs at Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School, Kapaa Middle School, Konawaena Middle School, and Waimea Canyon Middle School.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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