[§304A-1203]  Hawaii institute for
educational partnerships.  (a)  Reforms to the public school system cannot
succeed without concomitant reforms to the manner in which teachers are
educated.  The purpose of this section is to create a link between the public
schools and university teacher education programs to ensure that teacher
education is focused on the needs of the diverse student populations found
within the public school system.



(b)  There is established a Hawaii institute
for educational partnerships.  The institute, in collaboration with the
department of education, shall:



(1)  Continually review the system of educating
teachers for the purpose of redesigning the teacher education program of the
college of education so that it is responsive to the needs of the public school
system in Hawaii;



(2)  Develop innovative strategies to effectuate the
changes in the teacher education program at the school level; and



(3)  Where appropriate, establish university-school
partnerships as the mechanisms by which to implement the innovative strategies
developed by the [institute].



The institute shall submit, prior to the
convening of each regular session of the legislature, a report to the board of
regents, the board of education, and the legislature outlining its progress in
redesigning the teacher education program and the initiation of any
university-school partnerships. [L 2006, c 75, pt of §2]