STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3673

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2603

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Education and Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2603, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Department of Education to establish a pilot program that provides grants for high school students enrolled in a career academy program to enroll in college courses through the Running Start program or other similar programs that allow students to earn college credits that are applicable to the requirements for a career discipline of high need, including teaching;

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the pilot program;

 

     (3)  Expand the eligibility criteria for the Hawaii Educator Loan Program to include students who have graduated from a career academy; provided that the loan recipient agrees to teach for three years at a public school in the State;

 

     (4)  Appropriate funds into and out of the Hawaii Educator Loan Program revolving fund; and

 

     (5)  Require reports to the Legislature.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, Waipahu High School, and two individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Executive Office of Early Learning, and Early Learning Board.

 

     Your Committees find that this measure will help provide a firm foundation for teacher preparation and deliver high-quality professional opportunities to high school students in high-demand career fields.  In school year 2019-2020, fourteen public high schools offered the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Public and Human Services Pathway.  The Department of Education is committed to increasing participation in this program in academy and comprehensive high schools to enlarge the pool of future educators.  Your Committees further find that expanding the eligibility of students for this pilot program to include those who graduate from CTE and CTE-oriented programs at any of the department's high schools, rather than limiting eligibility to schools with career academies, will help prevent disruption in key occupational sectors and is essential to the overall welfare of the State's economy.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Defining career and technical education;

 

     (2)  Expanding the scope of the pilot program to include schools with CTE or CTE-focused academy pathways focused on renewable energy and related industries;

 

     (3)  Inserting language into the preamble to demonstrate the Legislature's intent to expand the pilot program to include CTE programs; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2603, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2603, 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 Committees on Education and Higher Education,

 

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

 

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair