STAND. COM. REP. NO. 174

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 970

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 970 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Education to establish a program with eligible entities to develop and implement teacher professional development for computer science courses and content.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education and Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Your Committee finds that there is a disparity between the demand for computer science education and its availability as only forty percent of schools offer such courses. The integration and prioritization of computer science curriculum in public schools begins with teachers receiving relevant training. This measure ensures that teachers will receive high-quality professional development in computer science to prepare students for fields related to computer science that have the potential to drive job growth and innovation throughout the economy.

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 S.B. No. 970 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair