THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	589
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to education.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Section 302A-802, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-802  Licensing standards; policies.  (a)  The board shall establish licensing standards that govern teacher licensing in Hawaii.  Licensing standards established by the board shall be adopted as rules under chapter 91 unless otherwise specified in this subpart.

     (b)  In the development of its standards, the board shall consider the existing teacher applicant pool that is available in the State and the level of the qualification of these applicants, as well as the nature and availability of existing preservice higher education teacher training programs.

     (c)  The board shall adopt policies, exempt from chapters 91 and 92, to initiate the following:

     (1)  Develop criteria for the issuance of permits and licenses allowing [more] qualified individuals with trade or industry experience to teach in vocational, technical, and career pathway programs[, and criteria for the issuance of permits allowing qualified individuals to teach when recommended by the superintendent.  The department shall be responsible for the review];

     (2)  Review and [acceptance of] accept the relevant licenses, certificates, or other qualifications related to an individual's vocational, technical, or career pathway education-related experience that the department deems necessary for a permit[.  The department shall have the authority to waive the requirement of a bachelor's degree to teach in a vocation, technical, or career pathway education program;] or license;

    [(2)] (3)  Develop a plan to accept teachers from any state as long as they have completed state-approved teacher education programs and pass relevant Hawaii teacher examinations or their equivalent;

    [(3)] (4)  Clarify the requirements, on a state-by-state basis, for out-of-state licensed teachers to obtain a license in Hawaii;

    [(4)] (5)  Develop a plan to facilitate licensing for those who intend to teach in Hawaii immersion programs, the island of Niihau, or any other extraordinary situation as defined by the superintendent or the superintendent's designee;

    [(5)] (6)  Pursue full teacher license reciprocity with all other states; and

    [(6)] (7)  Issue a license to a teacher with a valid out-of-state license who has passed similar, though not identical, tests in basic skills, pedagogy, and subject matter to those required for licensure in the State; provided that upon the effective date of the adoption of administrative rules addressing the recognition of out-of-state teacher licenses, those administrative rules shall supersede the requirements of this paragraph.

     (d)  The department shall waive the requirement of a bachelor's degree to teach in a vocational, technical, or career pathway education program and shall issue a special permit to teach in a vocational, technical, or career pathway education program if the individual:

     (1)  Has earned at least an associate's degree or equivalent in the subject area in which the individual is applying to teach;

     (2)  Has five or more years of industry experience in the vocational, technical, or career field for which the individual is applying to teach;

     (3)  Holds a valid trade or industry license or certification, if a license or certification exists for the trade or industry; and

     (4)  Has passed the State's forty-hour substitute teacher training course.

     (e)  The department shall waive the requirement of a bachelor's degree to teach in a vocational, technical, or career pathway education program and shall issue a teaching license to teach in a vocational, technical, or career pathway education program if the individual has either:

     (1)  (A)  At least five years of teaching experience under a special permit issued pursuant to subsection (d) and achieved a satisfactory evaluation for each year of service performed; and

         (B)  Passed the PRAXIS II exam for that trade, industry, or subject; or

     (2)  (A)  At least three years of teaching experience under a special permit issued pursuant to subsection (d) and achieved a satisfactory evaluation for each year of service performed;

         (B)  Thirty credits of teacher training; and

         (C)  Passed the PRAXIS II exam for that trade, industry, or subject.

     (f)  The department and the board shall recognize that the individuals who have attained a teaching license by either of the methods listed in subsection (e) shall be:

     (1)  Exempt from any probationary status and immediately classified as tenured;

     (2)  Compensated according to all relevant collective bargaining agreements at the salary schedule class III step 5 (T03-05); and

     (3)  Eligible for all class and step movements as outlined in all relevant collective agreements."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

Report Title:

Teacher Licenses; Vocational, Technical, Career Pathway Teachers

 

Description:

Requires HTSB to develop criteria for the issuance of vocational, technical, and career pathway (VTC) teaching permits and licenses.  Requires DOE to waive the bachelor's degree requirement for VTC teachers and issue special permits or licenses under certain conditions.  Sets forth certain privileges for teachers who receive VTC teaching licenses.

 

 

 

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