STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2352

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2880

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2880 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify that public charter school teachers are eligible for incentives under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, State Public Charter School Commission, and Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State's high cost of living and significant challenges in teacher recruitment and retention increase the importance of incentives offered to educators. Research demonstrates that National Board Certified teachers improve student learning outcomes and contribute to stronger school communities, making them among the most impactful educators in the nation. Clarifying that public charter school teachers are eligible for the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program will encourage more teachers to pursue the rigorous certification process, facilitating the development of a stable, highly qualified local educator workforce. This measure will strengthen the teaching profession across all public education systems in the State.

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. 2880 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,

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair