STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1729

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 59

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 59 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING FOR THE ENGLISH LEARNER PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS THE INCREASING POPULATION OF ENGLISH LEARNER STUDENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure to urge the department of education to prioritize funding for the English Learner Program in public Schools

Your committee received testimony in support from the department of education.

Your Committee finds that there are currently 17,000 English learners enrolled in public schools and by 2025 it is estimated that one in four students will be an English learner. This measure highlights the important of devoting attention and resources to meeting the needs of this student population.

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 H.C.R. No. 59 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair