HI SB2359

Requires the University of Hawaii to establish K-12 expanded teaching cohort programs in each county beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in education.

Mandates interim reports to the legislature by twenty days before the regular sessions of 2023, 2024, and 2025 detailing the number of additional programs offered, student enrollment, faculty needs, costs, and effect on teacher shortages.

Requires a final report by twenty days before the 2026 regular session with the same information plus recommendations for additional teaching programs and any proposed legislation.

Addresses Hawaii's teacher shortage crisis, which saw emergency hires increase 85% and teacher vacancies rise 51% from 2011 to 2018, with 1,199 teachers separating from the department of education in the 2020-2021 school year.

Automatically repeals on December 31, 2026, making this a time-limited measure to address education workforce shortages on Hawaii's neighbor islands.