S.R. No. 107 Summary

• Department of Education currently caps credit for teaching experience at a maximum of 6 years regardless of how many years a qualified teacher has taught outside the DOE system.

• The DOE faces an exceptionally high shortage of qualified teachers and increasingly relies on uncertified teachers to fill vacant classrooms.

• Experienced teachers from outside the DOE system could be recruited to fill vacant positions if offered pay commensurate with their actual experience and qualifications.

• Senate requests that the DOE review its teacher recruitment policies with particular consideration to eliminating the cap on credit for outside teaching experience.

• Copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chair of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, and President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.