HI HB1276

Establishes a working group within the Department of Education to develop best practices for collaborative planning and expanded learning time in Hawaii public schools, modeled on Massachusetts education initiatives.

Working group membership includes legislative committee chairs (co-chairs), superintendent of education, a principal, a teacher, representatives from Hawaii State Teachers Association and Hawaii Government Employees Association, and other members as deemed necessary.

Working group must consider individual teacher preparation time, collaborative planning time for like-grade teachers, student intervention periods, classroom layout and peer learning structures, principal rotations among school complexes, classroom observation procedures for professional growth, and project-based learning implementation.

Department of Education handles administrative duties including posting notices, preparing agendas and minutes, organizing meetings, and reporting outcomes; working group is exempt from Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter 92 public meeting requirements but must post meeting minutes on department website.

Working group shall submit findings report to the legislature, superintendent of education, and all complex area superintendents no later than twenty days before the start of the 2021 regular legislative session.