STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3021

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1882

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1882, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for laptop computers or tablets to be used by teachers and students for digital teaching and learning.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, State Public Charter School Commission, CompTIA, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that schools have a responsibility for students' success in a globally competitive world.  A twenty-first century education must prepare students for work in a world that integrates technology and new media communication.  During the 2013-2014 school year, the Legislature appropriated funds to the Department of Education to implement the access learning pilot program that integrated laptop computers into eight schools.  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.  This measure appropriates funds to ensure that students have fair access to technology in all public schools.

 

     Your Committee further finds that quality after-school programs inspire and motivate children to learn, support children's social and emotional growth, and help raise academic achievement and that funding for after-school programs is critical for intermediate and middle school students, especially for schools that have a high number of students of Native Hawaiian ancestry, who are being arrested at a higher rate than any other ethnic background.  By funding after-school programs at intermediate and middle schools that have a high number of Native Hawaiian students, students will have access to expanded learning opportunities through a range of enrichment and learning activities in various subjects, such as the arts, language, technology, and civic engagement.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting language from S.B. No. 2083, S.D. 1, as a part II of the measure to appropriate funds for after-school programs at Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School, Kapaa Middle School, Konawaena Middle School, and Waimea Canyon Middle School; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1882, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1882, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair