STAND. COM. REP. NO. 522

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 464

H.D. 1

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.B. No. 464 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MAGNET SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a five-year magnet school pilot program at Waiāhole and Ka‘a‘awa elementary schools; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the pilot program and for positions to support the pilot program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Ka‘a‘awa Elementary School, Waiāhole Elementary School, Pacific American Foundation, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that it is critical for students to learn skills and tools necessary to support the unique needs of their communities in Hawaii. Magnet schools address these needs by offering specialized curricula with a common theme or focus. Your Committee notes that Waiāhole Elementary School has incorporated a specialized agricultural curriculum in Waiāhole and Ka‘a‘awa Elementary School has incorporated a specialized "mauka to makai" watershed curriculum in Ka‘a‘awa. Both schools have gathered community partners and resources to allow students access to invaluable learning opportunities in their communities. This measure seeks to expand these types of specialized educational opportunities and make them available for students in the State's public school system.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of 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. 464, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 464, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair