NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Pursuant to provisions of Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes (H.R.S.), and all other laws applicable thereto, public hearings will be conducted by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board (H.T.S.B.) to afford all interested persons the opportunity to submit data, views and arguments, orally and in writing, concerning the adoption of the administrative rules described in this notice.

A. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED RULE

Chapter 8-54-10, LICENSING AND CREDENTIALING STANDARDS, is proposed to be amended in order to:

1. Make technical amendments so that the rules contain date references that have been updated;

The proposed technical amendments update expiration dates of license extensions granted by the Board. In addition, a definition of “State- approved teacher education program” is included for clarification.

2. Establish three tiers of licenses;

The proposed amendments seek to create three tiers of licenses similar to those used in other states: 1) non-renewable provisional license; 2) standard renewable license (what is currently called an “initial license”); and 3) renewable advanced license.

3. Provide two additional ways by which an applicant may be granted a standard renewable license;

The proposed rules allow two additional ways for issuing a standard renewable license: 1) applicant holding a license due to his/her Meritorious New Teacher Candidate designation may be issued a license; and 2) applicant with a valid un-revoked out-of-state license who passed all licensing tests for that state license may be waived from taking the comparable Hawaii tests provided tests were taken in basic skills, pedagogy and content knowledge. For the category of test not taken, i.e. basic skills, pedagogy, and content knowledge, the applicant must take the required Hawaii test and achieve the Hawaii passing score.

4. Describe the procedure for issuing a renewable advanced license;

The rules propose to allow teachers with five or more years of teaching experience under a Hawaii teaching license combined with National Board Certification or an advanced degree in their licensing field to be issued a renewable advanced license.

5. Establish a Code of Ethics;

A Code of Ethics is proposed in Appendix D of the rules. Upon approval of the Code of Ethics, the Board will be able to set forth a process for hearing cases related to professional fitness.

6. Provide for a limited duty special permit in career and technical education;

The amendments set forth the criteria and process by which individuals with industry and trade experiences may be issued a limited duty special permit.

B. SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Public hearings will be held at the dates, times and places indicated below at which interested persons may submit written or oral testimony. Those who submit oral testimony should refer to Section D below for instructions.

OAHU January 11, 2007, 6:00 PM, Moanalua High School Cafeteria, 2825 Ala Ilima, Honolulu, HI 96818

January 23, 2007, 6:00 PM, Castle High School Cafeteria, 45-386 Kaneohe Bay Drive, Kaneohe, HI 96744

WEST HAWAII January 16, 2007, 6:00PM, Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

KAUAI January 17, 2007, 6:00 PM, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria, 4431 Nohou Street, Lihue, HI 96766

EAST HAWAII January 18, 2007, 6:00 PM, Waiakeawaena Elementary School Cafeteria, 2420 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720

MAUI January 24, 2007, 6:00PM, Maui Waena Intermediate School Cafeteria, 795 Onehee Street, Kahului, HI 96732

MOLOKAI January 25, 2007, 5:00 PM, Kualapuu Elementary School Cafeteria, Kualapuu, HI 96757

LANAI January 29, 2007, 3:30PM, Lanai High & Elementary School Cafeteria, Lanai City

C. AVAILABILITY OF COPIES OF THE PROPOSED RULE AND RELATED INFORMATION

Copies of the proposed rule to be adopted are available for public review between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board office, 650 Iwilei Road, Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96817, and on its website at www.htsb.org.

Copies of the proposed rule to be adopted will also be available for public review at all public schools. In addition, copies of the proposed rule will be mailed to any person requesting a copy and submitting the required fee for copying and postage. Requests must be received by phone at (808)586-2605 or in writing no later than January 4, 2007, at the following address:

Hawaii Teacher Standards Board
650 Iwilei Road, Suite 201
Honolulu, HI 96817

D. PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Persons who wish to speak at the hearings are requested to submit at least one copy or preferably fifteen (15) copies of their written testimony at the time of their presentation. Others who are unable to be present at the public hearings or do not wish to speak at the public hearings are asked to submit their written testimony to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, 650 Iwilei Road, Suite 201, Honolulu, HI 96817. Written testimony must be received no later than January 29, 2007.

Persons who are in need of an accommodation due to a disability may request an accommodation at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled public hearing date. You may contact (808) 586-2605. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may call the same number via the relay system.
(SB05526236 12/11/06)