HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	798
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
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 it has become increasingly important to align children's education with the needs of the evolving workforce.  Middle school and high school is where students begin to learn the skills necessary to become successful in their adult careers.  As workforce educational needs shift, many states have responded by providing educational programs that will prepare students to perform specialized jobs upon graduation from high school.

     The purpose of this Act is to convene the Hawaii vocational training in schools task force in the department of education to study the feasibility of establishing vocational training programs in the department's middle schools and high schools.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established a Hawaii vocational training in schools task force within the department of education to consist of the following members:

     (1)  The superintendent of education or superintendent's designee, who shall serve as the lead chairperson of the task force;

     (2)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism or director's designee;

     (3)  The director of labor and industrial relations or director's designee;

     (4)  The principals of each middle school and high school selected by the superintendent of education to participate in the vocational training programs; and

     (5)  Any other agency or designee deemed appropriate by the superintendent of education.

     (b)  The task force shall serve until it has accomplished the objectives of this Act or twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020, whichever occurs first.

     (c)  The task force shall study the feasibility of establishing vocational training programs in the department's middle schools and high schools.  The study shall include but not be limited to the following:

     (1)  Department middle school and high school sites that have sufficient facilities and appropriate resources to implement the vocational training programs;

     (2)  The cost of implementing vocational training programs in middle schools and high schools, including the cost of staffing and personnel necessary for the programs;

     (3)  Potential sources of funding for the vocational training program, including but not limited to grants, private donations, and fundraising opportunities;

     (4)  Criteria for selecting qualified instructors to teach the vocational training classes;

     (5)  Analysis of the appropriate careers and professional objectives to include in the vocational training programs;

     (6)  Effective educational practices and teaching methods that are used in existing vocational training programs in the State and nationwide;

     (7)  Any professional certifications or degrees that can be earned concurrently with the vocational training programs;

     (8)  Any state and federal agencies, organizations, or business partners that could collaborate with the department to implement the vocational training programs;

     (9)  Any practical impediments to implementing the vocational training programs; and

    (10)  Any other objective deemed necessary by the superintendent of education.

     SECTION 3.  The superintendent of education, in consultation with the task force, shall submit a report of any findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Vocational Training; Middle Schools; High Schools

 

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Vocational Training in Schools Task Force in the Department of Education to study the feasibility of creating vocational training programs in the department's middle schools and high schools.

 

 

 

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