Bill Text: HI HB398 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The University Of Hawaii.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-1)
Status: (Passed) 2019-07-03 - Act 172, 06/27/2019 (Gov. Msg. No. 1274). [HB398 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2019-HB398-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
398 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Due to a variety of factors, Hawaii has long suffered from a shortage of qualified public-school teachers. This shortage not only continues but is worsening. Fewer graduates from Hawaii teacher education programs are entering the profession. According to the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the number of graduates joining the department of education fell by nearly thirty per cent, from five hundred forty-five in the 2010-11 school year to three hundred eighty‑seven in the 2016-17 school year. Furthermore, four hundred eleven public-school teachers resigned and left Hawaii in 2017, compared to two hundred sixty-six in 2012 and two hundred twenty-three in 2010.
In a presentation to the board of education on June 21, 2018, the Hawaii State Teachers Association testified that teacher vacancies increased fifty-one per cent from 2011 and the number of unlicensed teachers who do not meet state qualifications rose sixty-three per cent from 2011.
Data released by the department of education on November 15, 2018, revealed that out of a total 13,437 teaching positions in 2018, five hundred eight spots were filled by instructors who had not completed a state-approved teacher preparation program. An additional five hundred twenty-one spots were vacant as of August 1, 2018. As a result, one thousand twenty-nine positions statewide are not filled by highly qualified teachers.
In comparison, during the 2012-13 school year, out of a total of 12,934 teaching positions, two hundred seventy-four were filled by emergency hires and three hundred thirty-four spots were vacant as of August 1, 2012, for a total of six hundred eight positions not filled by certified teachers during that school year.
The recent data reflects another long-term trend: teachers leaving Hawaii has outpaced retirement as the top reason for attrition in the last three years. During the 2017-18 school year, four hundred twenty-three teachers left Hawaii for the mainland, a seventy-one per cent increase from five years ago.
The legislature finds that the University of Hawaii system does not offer a sufficient number of classes in their major for students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in the field of education, especially distance-learning classes. The legislature further finds that this issue is a matter of statewide concern that falls under its purview pursuant to article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution.
The purpose of this Act is to require the University of Hawaii to establish additional distance-learning classes in teaching for students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in education.
SECTION 2. (a) Beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, the University of Hawaii shall establish additional distance-learning classes in teaching for students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in education.
(b) As used in this section, "distance learning" means a method of education in which lectures are broadcast or classes are conducted over the Internet and enrolled students are not required to attend lectures or classes at a physical campus of the University of Hawaii.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2035; provided that this Act shall be repealed on December 31, 2023.
Report Title:
University of Hawaii; Distance-learning; Teaching
Description:
Requires the University of Hawaii system to create additional distance-learning classes in teaching for students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in education. Effective 7/1/2035. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
