STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1622

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 71

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.C.R. No. 71 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON EARLY LEARNING TO EXAMINE AND CONSIDER A SLIDING SCALE TUITION OR FEE SCHEDULE FOR STATE PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Executive Office on Early Learning to examine and consider a sliding scale tuition or fee schedule for state pre-kindergarten programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Early Learning, State Public Charter School Commission, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that it is essential that Hawaii's children attend pre-kindergarten programs to develop the physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional skills necessary to prepare them for success in school life. Additionally, the past decade has seen a substantial increase in public investment in early learning programs by federal, state, and local governments, particularly for economically disadvantaged children. With the State's commitment to early childhood education, there will be greater access to early childhood education for more families. However, as some households will be able to pay for some of the costs associated with pre-kindergarten education, a sliding scale tuition or fee schedule should be examined and considered.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 71 and recommends that it 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