Kaua’i education bills proposed by Hooser

Public Hearings begin today for the Hawai’i State Senate Education Committee.

State Sen. Gary Hooser, D-Kaua’i, Ni’ihau, is vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee. Hooser has introduced several of the bills on the agenda with the primary focus being increasing classroom support in grades 3, 4, and 5.

“Research clearly indicates that in most situations smaller class sizes and smaller learning communities are key factors in improving the classroom environment and elevating student performance,” Hooser said in an e-mail sent from the State Capitol to The Garden Island. “Making educational assistants available to support teachers in these important elementary grade levels is a significant step in the right direction.”

Hooser is proposing Senate Bill 2321, a pilot project utilizing only Kaua’i schools that would make available an educational assistant for every third grade classroom on Kaua’i on a pilot project basis.

Also being reviewed at the hearing will be several senate bills proposed to increase teacher support by providing financial rewards to teachers achieving “master teacher” status, as well as various tax credit proposals intended to support teacher recruitment and retention.

Another Kaua’i-specific bill being heard at the hearing is Senate Bill 2330, which provides additional support to Kapa’a Elementary School’s ground breaking “school within a school” program.

Hooser encourages persons wishing to testify to submit their testimony in person or via FAX to the committee clerk, Room 213, State Capitol. Testimony should be faxed to 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659. Testimony should be addressed to Senate Education Committee Chair Norman Sakamoto and indicate the hearing date and time.

Internet users can track legislative bills at www.capitol.hawaii.gov.