Bill Text: HI HB1552 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1552 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Hawaiian Education Programs; Administration; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-22 - The committee(s) on OMH recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1552 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB1552-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1552
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
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 during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Hawaii experienced a grassroots movement to revitalize native Hawaiian culture, leading to demands for Hawaii-oriented courses in the State's public schools and colleges.

Concurrently, proponents of the movement acknowledged that there existed a very real danger in permanently losing native knowledge of the Hawaiian language, culture, and history, as many traditional kupuna were of advanced age and as a result, there was a dwindling population of people with this native knowledge.

This prompted delegates at the 1978 constitutional convention to propose a Hawaiian education program that, upon approval by the voters, became article X, section 4, of the Hawaii state constitution. This section of the Hawaii state constitution requires, among other things, that the State promote the study of Hawaiian culture, history, and language, and provide for a Hawaiian education program in the State's public schools consisting of language, culture, and history components.

The legislature further finds that there are concerns that implementation of Hawaiian education programs is disjointed and lacks appropriate oversight, and that the programs do not receive adequate resources to meet the purpose and intent of article X, section 4.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the Hawaiian studies instructional office within the department of education to provide efficient and effective oversight and management of Hawaiian education programs in the State's public schools and ensure that students are provided with instruction on Hawaiian history, culture, arts, and language.

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

"302A- Hawaiian studies instructional office. (a) There is established within the department the Hawaiian studies instructional office to ensure the provision of instruction in Hawaiian history, culture, arts, and language to students in public schools. The office shall have direct oversight and responsibility for:

(1) All components of any Hawaiian education program established pursuant to article X, section 4, of the Hawaii state constitution; and

(2) The Hawaiian language medium education program established pursuant to chapter 302H.

(b) The office may assist public charter schools governed under chapter 302D in providing instruction to students on Hawaiian history, culture, arts, and language.

(c) The office, any Hawaiian education program established pursuant to article X, section 4, of the Hawaii state constitution, and the Hawaii language medium education program established pursuant to chapter 302H, shall be separate line items in the state budget."

SECTION 3. Section 302A-630, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) In determining additional benefits for teachers, staff, and administrators in Hawaiian language medium education, the department, in consultation with the Hawaiian studies instructional office, may allow credit for practical experience."

SECTION 4. Section 302H-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§302H-1[]] Hawaiian language medium education program; established. The Hawaiian language medium education program may be established as a complete educational program or schooling experience provided to students in the medium of the Hawaiian language. The educational objectives of this program shall take into consideration how its content integrates with Hawaiian language and culture curricula and Hawaiian language medium curricula offered at the preschool and college levels, may be the same as the English language medium program, and may fulfill unique Hawaiian language medium education program goals. The Hawaiian studies instructional office shall have responsibility and oversight for the Hawaiian language medium education program."

SECTION 5. Section 302H-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§302H-3[~~] Office of Hawaiian language medium education; personnel.~~ The department of education may create a separate office of Hawaiian language medium education for the direction and control of the program. The department may employ necessary personnel qualified by training and experience to direct and supervise the types of instruction and special services specified in this chapter.] Teacher preparation programs. Publicly funded institutions of higher education may create teacher preparation programs to ensure that pre-service training is provided to students interested in teaching elementary and secondary students in the Hawaiian language."

SECTION 6. Section 302H-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§302H-7[]] Collaboration. The [~~department of education~~] Hawaiian studies instructional office shall work collaboratively with the Hawaiian language college of the University of Hawaii at Hilo and any other entities recognized by the legislature for the purpose of addressing Hawaiian language medium education, extending to those entities support for inclusion in the special provisions for children and families enrolled in the Hawaiian language medium education program [~~of the department~~] and maximizing the joint use of existing and new resources to meet the goal of revitalizing, maintaining, and strengthening the Hawaiian language."

SECTION 7. 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 2014-2015 for the Hawaiian studies instructional office to carry out its duties and functions pursuant to this Act.

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

SECTION 8. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 7 shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaiian Education Programs; Administration; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Hawaiian Studies Instructional Office to ensure the provision of instruction in Hawaiian history, culture, arts, and language to students in public schools.

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