STAND. COM. REP. NO.  213-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2597

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2597 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEACHERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize and support exemplary teachers by providing, as part of the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program, an additional $5,000 bonus per year for each public school teacher who maintains current National Board certification and who teaches at a school in a priority or Superintendent's zone, or other similar designation, as determined by the Department of Education.

Two concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Education and IMUAlliance supported this measure with amendments.  A concerned individual opposed this measure.  Three concerned individuals submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Removing:

          (A)  Schools that are in restructuring under the No Child Left Behind Act, Public Law 107-110; and

          (B)  Schools that are not making adequate yearly progress but are not in restructuring under the No Child Left Behind Act, Public Law 107-110,

          as schools for which teachers who maintain current National Board certification can receive a bonus of an additional $5,000 per year for teaching there;

     (2)  Adding schools that are in a focus zone, as determined by the Department of Education, as schools for which teachers who maintain current National Board certification can receive a bonus of an additional $5,000 per year for teaching there; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2597, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2597, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Labor & Public Employment.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair