STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1002

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 481

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 481, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend testing and reporting requirements for the State's public schools.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Repeals standardized assessment requirements for students entering kindergarten; and

(2) Requires the Department of Education to submit annual reports on data collected on early learning programs pursuant to section 302A-1166, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii; Ke Kula `O Nāwahīokalani `ōpu`u; `Aha Pūnana Leo, Inc.; HE`E Coalition; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Department of the Attorney General, Board of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the reports required by this measure will provide the Legislature with relevant and important data regarding the State's early learning programs. Your Committee further finds that eliminating standardized assessments for students entering public kindergarten will help ensure that schools' time and resources are used effectively.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 481, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair