Hawaii Senate Bill SCR98

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 4/3/24
• Engrossed: 4/4/24
• Refer: 4/5/24
• Report Pass: 4/15/24
• Refer: 4/15/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Education To Partner With The Hawaii State Teachers Association And Teacher Education Programs At Local Universities And Colleges To Provide Pathways For School Support Personnel To Become Full-time Teachers.

Impact

The resolution acknowledges the challenges the Hawaii educational system faces, such as a significant increase in teacher turnover rates and the departure of support staff. By enabling school support personnel to earn course credit for their classroom experience, SCR98 proposes to make the transition to full-time teaching more accessible. This could potentially result in a larger pool of qualified candidates ready to fill teaching vacancies, thereby addressing the pressing issue of teacher shortages in the state.

Summary

SCR98 seeks to address the critical shortage of licensed teachers in Hawaii by requesting a partnership between the Department of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers Association, along with local universities and colleges. The resolution emphasizes the need to create pathways for existing school support personnel, such as educational assistants and substitute teachers, to transition into full-time teaching positions. This initiative is aimed at leveraging the experience and expertise of these individuals, who often play significant roles in classroom settings but lack the necessary credentials to be recognized as full-time teachers.

Sentiment

Support for SCR98 is generally positive, especially among educators and those invested in the educational sector. The resolution is seen as a proactive step toward alleviating teacher shortages and recognizing the contributions of support staff in schools. However, there may be concerns regarding the implementation and the adequacy of resources to support these new pathways. Some stakeholders may question whether the existing frameworks can effectively accommodate the changes proposed by this resolution.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise regarding the criteria for selecting which support personnel are eligible for the proposed pathways to teacher certification. Additionally, there may be discussions about the capacity of universities and colleges to adapt their teacher education programs accordingly. Further, the resolution's implementation hinges on collaboration among multiple entities, raising potential concerns about coordination and funding to ensure the successful integration of this initiative into the state's educational framework.