SB2927

Report Title:

DOE; Middle School Policy Implementation; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for 43 off-ratio teacher positions and one middle level school policy implementation specialist position.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2927
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for department of education middle schools.

 

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

The legislature finds that early adolescence, the developmental stage encompassing ten to fifteen years of age, involves enormous changes in all aspects of human functioning – physical, social, emotional, moral, and cognitive. The unique characteristics of early adolescents have led to numerous reports advocating developmentally-appropriate education for the age group, that is, schools tailored to their specific needs, staffed by educators who are expert at working with these students.

The board of education has adopted administrative guidelines to ensure successful implementation of the department of education's middle level education policy and provide the basis for school, district, and state departmental action, an important component of which is accreditation of middle schools by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Although an October, 2001, report from the University of Hawaii's college of education found that the department of education's middle level education policy established standards for effective classroom, team and school practice, staffing, professional development, and school accountability for the middle grades (fifth to eighth), it noted that additional funding will be required to provide the necessary staffing levels and professional development.

Specific recommendations called for in the report include an increase in the number of off-ratio teacher positions to support the team planning time that is the cornerstone of developmentally-responsive practice, and an educational specialist at the state level of the department of education responsible for middle level education and the implementation of the policy as their primary responsibility. The additional off-ratio teacher positions will complement the eight such positions already funded in the Honolulu District.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for 43 off-ratio teacher positions and one state-level specialist in middle level educational policy implementation for the department of education; provided that the 43 positions are distributed as follows:

(1) Central District:  7

(2) Leeward District:  6

(3) Windward District:  4

(4) Hawaii District: 15

(5) Maui District:  8

(6) Kauai District:  3

TOTAL 43

SECTION 2. 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 purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________