HB3001

Report Title:

Education; Teacher Certification; Hawaiian Language

Description:

Requires all public school principals, vice-principals, and teachers of the department of education to satisfactorily complete at least one course in Hawaiian language instruction as part of their certification requirements.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3001
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to education.

 

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

SECTION 1. As noted in article XV, section 4, of the Hawaii state constitution, the State of Hawaii has two official languages, Hawaiian and English. There is a Hawaiian language public education system, as well as a Hawaiian language college, to provide for education through the use of the Hawaiian language. However, the legislature believes that the study, learning, and use of the Hawaiian language by educators and administrators can offer insight and understanding of the cultural foundation, learning preferences, and traditions of many of the youth attending public schools in Hawaii. The legislature further believes that the use and teaching of the Hawaiian language must be further encouraged.

The purpose of this Act is to increase the base of public school educators and administrators who are compassionate and responsive to the cultural foundation, learning preferences, and traditions of native Hawaiian youth, as well as willing to promote and encourage the use and teaching of the Hawaiian language.

SECTION 2. 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) Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, require all new teachers to satisfactorily complete at least one course in Hawaiian language instruction as part of the teacher licensing requirements;

[(1)] (2) Develop a plan for licensing more individuals with practical experience for teaching in vocational/technical programs;

[(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; and

[(5)] (6) Pursue full teacher license reciprocity with the mid-Atlantic states, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Washington."

SECTION 3. Section 302A-605, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§302A-605 Principals and vice-principals. (a) Principals shall meet the department's certification requirements and shall have not less than five years of appropriate school-level experience of which at least three years shall have been as a teacher.

(b) Vice-principals shall meet the department's certification requirements and shall have appropriate school-level experience as determined by the department.

(c) Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, all new principals and vice-principals shall have satisfactorily completed at least one Hawaiian language instruction course as part of their certification requirements.

[(c)] (d) On a case-by-case basis, the department may waive the certification requirements and school-level experience for vice-principal candidates with appropriate administrative experience. The department shall establish criteria and reasons for waivers pursuant to chapter 91."

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________