HI SR122

Requests the United States Department of Education and Hawaii Department of Education to develop and implement a standardized assessment test in the Hawaiian language for Hawaiian language immersion schools.

Seeks to exempt or provide alternative standards for Hawaiian language immersion schools from the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requirements.

Requires consultation with Hawaiian language immersion schools, University of Hawaii System, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, and other relevant entities during test development.

Directs the Hawaii Department of Education to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2014 Regular Session, including timelines for Hawaiian language assessments in language arts, mathematics, and science, and any proposed legislation or funding requests.

Addresses the challenge that students in grades 3-4 take Hawaiian-language assessments while grade 5 students transition to English-based Hawaii State Assessments, creating unfair testing conditions for immersion students.