Report Title:

DOE; Teachers

 

Description:

Authorizes the department of education to fully reimburse to Hawaii high school graduates the tuition of state-approved teacher training graduates, up to a cap of the University of Hawaii regular session tuition, who teach in the public schools for at least 6 years. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2211

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

 

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

SECTION 1. During the 2002 Hawaii state student conference, the students drafted, voted, and passed a resolution that has evolved into the following Act.

SECTION 2. The legislature finds that Hawaii's public school teacher shortage requires that the State find ways to encourage college students to enter the teaching profession and to retain them in the public school system after they graduate. The purpose of this Act is to provide tuition reimbursement, up to a ceiling of regular session tuition at the University of Hawaii, for the verifiable tuition expenses of graduates of Hawaii high schools who become graduates of any state-approved teacher training programs and teach in Hawaii's public school system for at least six years; provided that this reimbursement does not supplement scholarships, tuition waivers, or any other forms of tuition assistance granted to a student, except those of the Hawaii educator loan program.

SECTION 3. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A-    Teacher reimbursement program. (a) There is established a teacher reimbursement program within the department of education to provide tuition reimbursement, up to a ceiling equaling the cost of regular session tuition at the University of Hawaii. The reimbursement shall be for the verifiable tuition expenses of graduates of Hawaii high schools who become graduates of any state-approved teacher training programs and who teach in Hawaii's public school system for at least six years; provided that this reimbursement shall not supplement scholarships, tuition waivers, or any other forms of tuition assistance granted to a student, except those of the Hawaii educator loan program.

(b) The department shall adopt rules as necessary pursuant to chapter 91, to effectuate the purpose of this section.

(c) Funds for reimbursement shall be allocated by the legislature through appropriations out of the state general fund.

(d) The tuition reimbursements granted under this section shall be cumulative and may be used to offset and forgive loan repayment obligations under the Hawaii educator loan program."

SECTION 4. 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 2002-2003, for the teacher reimbursement authorized under this Act.

SECTION 5. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.