In order to provide additional alternative educational opportunities for high school students excluded from the traditional school program, the Legislature reconfigured the adult and community education program to include these students excepted from the regular school program and to authorize the transfer of necessary funds from the regular instructional program to the adult and community education program (H.B.3138, C.D. 1). This same measure also authorizes the Department of Education (DOE) to assess tuition and other fees for adults enrolled in basic education classes, unless these adult students are eligible for certain tuition waivers. In a related measure, the Legislature requested the DOE to administer the general education development examination to qualified students at age 16, through the adult and community education program (S.C.R.174; S.R. 138).

In recognition of the need for school-based services to transition students from school to the workplace, the Legislature passed a measure that transfers the school-to-work transition program from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the BOE (H.B.2514, C.D. 1). In a related measure, the Legislature required that the State be responsible for worker compensation insurance coverage for students participating in DOE vocational student internships where a private employer is paying the students’ wages (S.B.2087, C.D. 1).

In recognition of the shortage of classrooms and the need for additional support facilities, the Legislature has authorized the DOE, with the approval of the Comptroller. to enter into leases for the acquisition of facilities for public schools, and in addition, allowed the DOE to obtain land for these facilities (S.B.2145, C.D. 1). To further facilitate the completion of school construction projects, the Legislature passed a constitutional amendment that will allow appropriations from the state educational facilities improvement special fund for periods exceeding three years (SB.2211, C.D. 1). To ensure that all schools maintain a physical environment that is safe and healthy.

The Legislature requested the DOE, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services to review the school inspection program criteria and process (S.C.R. 261; S.R. 210). To expedite the purchase of goods and services and minor construction projects for the schools, the Legislature has exempted procurements by schools of less than $5,000 from the State Procurement Code (S.B.2087, C.D. 1).

In recognition of the honors bestowed upon Waianae resident Herbert K. Pililaau for his courageous actions during the Korean War, the Legislature requested the DOE and the BOE name a public school on the Waianae Coast in his honor (H.C.R. No.300).

To improve accountability for expenditures by the DOE and at the school-level, the Legislature passed a measure to require the DOE to submit annual expenditure reports by location and by function to the Legislature and the Governor (H.B.2897, C.D. 1). In order to provide for a more equitable and understandable school funding process, the Legislature has requested the establishment of a joint interim committee on education budget reform to develop a revised appropriations structure for public education (S.C.R.164, S.D. 1).

To conform with the recent year-round school initiatives adopted within the public schools, the Legislature authorized the DOE to assess fees for intersession programs which shall be deposited into a special fund to support these programs’ expenses (H.B.3434, C.D. 1). To assure that sufficient revenues are available for school electricity expenses, the Legislature provided additional funds ($1,284,156) to cover an anticipated shortfall in funds allocated for this purpose (H.B.3439, C.D. 1, Act 72).

In order to comply with the licensure requirements of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, the DOE has been authorized to revoke certificates, licenses, or credentials for persons who do not possess the requisite qualifications, and to exchange certain information about the person with other national or state teacher certification agencies (H.B.3432, C.D. 1).

In order to support recent library system innovations and alternative management structures, the Legislature extended the authorizations for the state library system to reallocate positions and resources (S.B.2209, H.D.1). Project SLIMMER was extended to July 1, 1999 (S.B. 2210, H.D.1).

In response to the concerns expressed by school principals and staff about increasing disruption by students in the classroom, the Legislature passed a measure to establish a zero tolerance policy for the possession by students of illicit drugs, intoxicating liquor, or dangerous weapons while on campus (H.B.No.3862, C.D.1). This measure allows a principal to exclude students who are found in possession of such items from school for up to 92 school days, on a case-by-case basis; provided that the students receive alternative educational, appropriate intervention, and treatment services.

After much debate and careful consideration, the Legislature authorized an additional exception to the compulsory school attendance law, to allow a student who attains the age of 16 to be excepted from school if the principal determines that the student is disruptive and chronically does not attend school; provided that the school principal and staff, in consultation with the student and the student’s parent and adult guardian. develop an alternative educational plan for the student (S.B.2380, C.D. 1).

In order to bring parents and guardians into the educational process, the Legislature passed a measure requesting the DOE to advise parents and guardians of the Student Code of Conduct and their responsibilities relating to it (S.C.R.45; S.R.33).

To further the School/community-based management model within our public schools, the Legislature authorized two or more schools to jointly establish a student-centered school (S.B.3004, S.D. 1, Act 48). To encourage school-level innovation, the Legislature authorized schools to establish student-run enterprises the profits of which shall be retained by the schools to be distributed among the student participants and to enhance school-level programs (H.B.3138, C.D.1). To further support school/community initiatives, the Legislature established the parent-community networking center program and its goals and objectives to more closely link parents and students with community services and resources through the school environment (H.B.1736, C.D.1).

Pursuant to Act 168, Session Laws of Hawaii 1995, the Legislature adopted the recommendations of the Education Statutory Revision Interim Study Group and a measure that recodifies the education statutes into a new chapter on public education (S.B.2446, C.D. 1). This recodification effort reflects recent legislative initiatives to reform the public education system by allowing for the creation of alternative curriculum and administrative frameworks at the school-level. Innovative schools are currently in the process of developing these alternatives that will provide learning environments which are more focussed upon and responsive to students’ needs, and thus, redesigns public education to "put students first."

In a related measure, the Legislature requested the BOE to review and revise the School Code and the departmental administrative rules to reflect recent systemic reforms (S.C.R.175, H.D. 1). Further, the Legislature repealed the existing school district advisory councils, whose responsibilities are now being undertaken by the school/community based management councils (S.B.3021, C.D. 1). In another related measure, the Hawaii State Student Conference has been requested to suspend their annual conference of students and convene in its place a student summit to review the organizational structure and roles and responsibilities of the student councils (S.B.3267, S.D. 1, Act 47).

To improve technology infrastructure and computer-based educational services at the schools, the Legislature established provisions to allow for charitable contributions of education technology equipment and services to the public schools (H.B.3138, C.D. 1). This measure also amended the state tax code to provide an income tax deduction of the fair market value of qualified educational technology equipment and services contributed, accepted, and placed in service in the schools between January 1, 1996, and December31, 1997. For schools where technology presently exists, the legislature passed a measure endorsing the development and use of student communication networks within the schools and the entire educational system (S.C.R. No.66). To provide appropriate educational services for students with disabilities, the Legislature requested the DOE to adopt and implement procedural guidelines for assistive technology devices and services in the public schools (S.C.R.137; S.R.106).

In order to streamline the election process for BOE members, the Legislature passed a measure, which will allow the Chief Election Officer to automatically nominate candidates when only two persons are running for the same board seat requiring residency (H.B.3592). To clarify the role of Hawaii’s representatives on the Education Commission of the States, the Legislature passed a measure to repeal the Hawaii Education Council and transfer those responsibilities to Hawaii’s commissioners (H.B.3345, S.D. 2).

To improve the dental health of school-age children, all school-age children entering public school for the first time must present proof of a dental examination by a licensed dentist (H.B.2897, C.D. 1). To ensure the safety of children on their way to and from school, the Legislature requested the DOE to convene a school bus safety task force for the island of Kauai (H.C.R.74, H.D. 1).

To bolster student interest in school and prevent losing at-risk students, the Legislature requested the BOF to review the 2.0 grade point average rule for students to participate in co-curricular activities (S.C.R.169, H.D. 1; S.R.133). In a related measure, the Legislature requested the DOE to work in conjunction with the youth of the First Representative District and community agencies in the area to develop community-based youth programs (H.C.R.24; S.R. No.5).

The Senate passed a number of bills, which were pending in the House of Representatives or in Conference at the end of the 1996 Legislative Session. Continued efforts to resolve these issues may be pursued next year. The following describes some of the significant Senate Bills as well as Resolutions adopted by the Senate.

To provide additional resources dedicated to the school construction program, the Senate passed a measure that would have provided project manager positions to expedite school construction projects funded through the state educational facilities improvement special fund (S.B.2208, S.D. 1).

To bring school ground maintenance and custodial services into parity, the Senate adopted a measure requesting the DOE to study the different needs of school facilities in determining the custodial staffing levels at the respective school campuses (S.R.72, S.D. 1). In recognition of the efforts of Waipahu High School principal, Milton Shishido, the Senate adopted a measure requesting the BOE to consider naming the administration building at Waipahu High School after Mr. Shishido, upon his retirement (S.R.2, S.D. 1).

To promote a safe learning environment, the Senate adopted a measure to request the DOE in conjunction with other public and private agencies, to develop programs to prevent and eliminate violence in the public schools (S.R.144).

In support of the recent efforts to develop and provide Hawaiian language immersion programs for native Hawaiian students, the Senate passed a measure that would have expanded the program, papahana kaiapuni Hawaii for students as Niihau school and Niihau students attending Kekaha school (S.B. 2022, S.D. 1).

To assist with the implementation of technology infrastructure in the public schools, the Senate passed a measure that would have earmarked $5,000,000.per fiscal year for the development of such infrastructure (SB.3217, S.D. 1).

In order to promote the development of healthy eating habits in Hawaii’s school children, the Senate adopted a measure to request the BOE to incorporate the concepts of the "Five A Day For Better Health!’ program in its nutrition education programs (S.R.216).

In recognition of the critical need for vision and hearing diagnostic and treatment services for school children, the Senate adopted a measure requesting the Governor to release funds appropriated in the 1995-1996 fiscal year for the systematic hearing and vision program (S.R.225).

In support of the importance of a statewide music education program, the Senate adopted a measure requesting the BOE to establish temporary positions and enter into collective bargaining agreements to benefit intermediate and high school music teachers’ (S.R.25).

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