Bill Text: HI HB1274 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating To Education.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-2)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-04-22 - Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 948). [HB1274 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HB1274-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1274

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that as society moves forward further into the twenty-first century, access to information is growing exponentially, and well-paying, desirable jobs require more education and knowledge of technology than ever before.  Computer science helps to advance job growth and innovation throughout the economy and society.  Computing occupations are a primary source of all new wages in the United States and make up over half of all projected new jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.  It is crucial that Hawaii's public school students are exposed to STEM and computer science opportunities to ensure that they succeed in college- and career-readiness.

     Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, required the department of education to develop and implement a statewide computer science curricula plan for public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade and also required that each public high school offer at least one computer science course each school year.  However, the legislature finds that often, teachers with backgrounds in math and science are asked to teach computer science courses, for which they lack adequate foundational knowledge.  To ensure that teachers can offer high-quality instruction in computer science to students, it is imperative that the State support teachers with appropriate professional development opportunities.

     The purpose of this Act is to support teachers with appropriate professional development opportunities by appropriating funds to the department of education to enter into a contract or agreement with one or more entities to develop and implement computer science professional development programs directly accessible to teachers.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of education shall enter into a contract or agreement with one or more entities to develop and implement computer science professional development programs directly accessible to teachers; provided that an entity shall be:

     (1)  An educational agency, including a charter educational agency, or a consortia of educational agencies in the State;

     (2)  An institution of higher education located in the State; or

     (3)  A nationally recognized provider of effective computer science professional development programs.

(b)  An entity that intends to enter into a contract or agreement with the department of education pursuant to this Act shall first submit a proposal to the department that, at a minimum, addresses how the entity plans to:

     (1)  Instruct teachers with varying levels of knowledge and experience in computer science;

     (2)  Provide teachers with experience in hands-on, inquiry-based practices;

     (3)  Use effective practices for professional development;

     (4)  Emphasize the conceptual foundations of computer science;

     (5)  Instruct teachers on how to effectively teach students in computer science, including students from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in computer science careers;

     (6)  Adapt its instruction to accommodate the particular needs of teachers in different schools and districts; and

     (7)  Meet other requirements established by the department.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the department of education to enter into a contract with one or more entities to develop and implement computer science professional development programs for teachers.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Computer Science; Professional Development for Teachers; Appropriation

 

Description:

Provides for computer science professional development for teachers.  Appropriates funds.  (HB1274 HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

 

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