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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
53 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE board of education and the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO reinstate WEIGHTED FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND TEACHERS in support of student learning.
WHEREAS, in 2010, the Department of Education unilaterally changed the staffing methodology for special education teachers from a weighted to proportional formula based upon the percentage of a school district's special education student enrollment to the State's total special education enrollment; and
WHEREAS, due to the changes made by the Department of Education, funding for special education and special education teachers was significantly reduced such that it adversely impacted the needs of special education students across the State; and
WHEREAS, the reduction in funding for special education has had a direct effect on classroom instruction - specifically, the loss of special education teachers and educational assistant positions, as well as the loss of the $1,690 previously allocated to each special education teacher for instructional materials and equipment in support of student learning; and
WHEREAS, the loss of funding for special education has resulted in the reduction of the quality of special education services and instruction, unacceptable teaching conditions for special education teachers, increased transfers by teachers out of special education positions, and placement of unlicensed and newly hired teachers in special education; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature strongly supports Hawaii's public education system, its teachers, and students; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that the Board of Education and the Department of Education are requested to reinstate a weighted funding methodology for special education programs and teachers in support of student learning; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Special Education