Newly signed education bills center on teacher housing, pre-K access
Central Maui state Rep. Justin Woodson, who chairs the House Education Committee, speaks during Gov. Josh Green’s bill signing ceremony on Monday. Photos courtesy Governor’s Office
Gov. Josh Green discusses the state’s teacher shortage during a bill signing ceremony on Monday.
Central Maui state Rep. Justin Woodson, who chairs the House Education Committee, speaks during Gov. Josh Green’s bill signing ceremony on Monday. Photos courtesy Governor’s Office
Gov. Josh Green discusses the state’s teacher shortage during a bill signing ceremony on Monday.
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The Maui News
Gov. Josh Green signed four education bills into law on Monday that he said will help address the shortage of teachers and affordable housing as well as expand access to prekindergarten.
"These new laws will provide additional support to advance the efforts of many throughout our public school system, to educate students," Green said. "Nearly 169,000 students were enrolled in public and charter schools during the 2022 to 2023 school year. A number like that highlights the need for sound policies and support systems, sufficient funding, and resources for employees to ensure quality teaching and learning. Clearly, our students of today, are our leaders, our workforce and our parents of tomorrow, and it is our kuleana to set them up for success."
Green pointed out that the state needs 1,200 teachers to fill its annual teacher shortage, and that construction of affordable teacher housing could help aid in recruitment and retention of educators.
Senate Bill 941, now Act 172, authorizes the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private agencies to develop housing on- or off-campus for teachers, other educators and staff, and to develop classrooms, according to a news release from the Governor's Office.
Other bills Green signed on Monday aim to help support prekindergarten facilities and consider technology advances in the school curriculum.
House Bill 960, now Act 175, places pre-K facilities under the state Department of Education School Facilities Authority and transfers $200 million in general funds to the School Facilities Special fund for fiscal year 2023-24. The funds will expand access to pre-K to eligible children.
House Bill 503, now Act 174, requires the Board of Education to determine whether making computer science a graduation requirement would be in the best interests of public school students and the public. If so, the board would work with the DOE to analyze a timeline and process for making computer science a graduation requirement by no later than the 2030-2031 school year.
"Education is about assuring that all of our keiki are lifted up, and these bills highlight how we can build a stronger world-class education system in Hawai'i," said Central Maui state Rep. Justin Woodson, who chairs the House Committee on Education.
Another measure Green signed, Senate Bill 1344, now Act 173, amends the term "school health aides" to "school health assistants" to better reflect changes to the job title, according to the Governor's Office. The new law allows administration of medication to public school students by school health assistants, with the approval of a health care professional within the Department of Education, Department of Health or a health care service pursuant to a written agreement with the Department of Education.