Bill Text: HI SB2065 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Relating To Schools.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-05-11 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Thielen excused (1). [SB2065 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2065-Amended.html

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2065

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO SCHOOLS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that, despite having a high school graduation rate of eighty-one per cent, only fifty‑six per cent of Hawaii's public school graduates continued on to post-secondary education in 2015.  The legislature further finds that high school students in Hawaii would benefit from aligning educational curriculum to workforce readiness.  This alignment depends upon close collaboration between the public school system, a community college, and one or more industry employers near a school complex.  A workforce readiness program would ensure that students receive the industry-based skills and certification required for employment after graduation.

     The legislature additionally finds that collaboration between educators and industry employers will enable students to graduate from high school with a diploma and an industry‑recognized associate's degree.  Students may also earn pre‑apprenticeship certificates and other industry-recognized certificates in addition to their associate's degree.  The legislature also finds that similar educational models in Connecticut, Illinois, and New York are showing promise in graduating more high school students with career-ready skills that meet workforce needs.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a workforce readiness program within the department of education.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to subpart C of part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Workforce readiness program; establishment.  (a)  There is established within the department a workforce readiness program.

     (b)  The department shall designate schools, including the community school for adults, to participate in the program.

     (c)  Workforce readiness program schools shall:

     (1)  Include grades nine through twelve;

     (2)  Provide opportunities for students to earn pre‑apprenticeship certificates and other industry‑recognized certificates that assess and document student readiness for a wide range of jobs in addition to an associate's degree; and

     (3)  Integrate high school courses and certificate or license programs that are based on current and projected industry standards and focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with mentoring, job shadowing, internships, pre‑apprenticeship training, and other workplace education experiences.

     (d)  The department shall coordinate with the department of labor and industrial relations, as needed, and enter into contracts with industry employers located near workforce readiness program schools, as appropriate, to develop and implement the workforce readiness program.

     (e)  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to effectuate the purposes of this section."

     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 2020-2021 for the purposes of this Act, including funding for:

     (1)  Two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) educational specialist II positions; and

     (2)  Seven full-time equivalent (7.0 FTE) district office teacher positions.

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

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2051.


 


 

Report Title:

Workforce Readiness School Program; DOE; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a Workforce Readiness Program within the Department of Education to allow students to graduate from an extended high school enrollment with an industry-recognized associate's degree to complement the student's high school diploma.  Appropriates moneys to develop and implement the program, including (2.0) FTE Educational Specialist II staff positions and (7.0) FTE District Office Teachers.  Effective 7/1/2051.  (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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