| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that civic education prepares students to participate in the public and political lives of their communities. Teaching students about the importance of civic engagement through civic education helps develop critical thinking skills that are vital to the functioning of a democratic nation, including how to recognize social problems, evaluate possible solutions to problems, separate evidence-based claims from opinions, and act upon what is learned. The legislature further finds that in the 2020 general election, forty states had a higher voter turnout than did Hawaii, which placed Hawaii among the ten states with the lowest voter turnout in the nation. The legislature also finds that cultivating social and political engagement among students through civic education is an important strategy available to increase voter turnout and citizen engagement over the long term. The legislature additionally finds that in 2018, the board of education adopted the Hawaii core standards in social studies. These core standards outline the content, concepts, and inquiry skills students need to reason, wonder, and think about the vastness and richness of the human condition. The Hawaii core standards in social studies also integrate and encompass the democratic values, civility, and global perspective needed to support the development of critical thinking and habits of mind that are the hallmark of a mature, community-minded citizen. The standards are also premised upon a rigorous and relevant K-12 social studies experience. The legislature finds that engaging students in the pursuit of active and informed citizenship will connect students to the world through informed instructional experiences that are led by teachers who are committed to active civic participation. In this way, students will not simply acquire and produce knowledge but will have the knowledge and skills to engage in the workings of a democracy and practice democratic citizenship. However, the legislature finds that the department of education has not engaged in systematic teacher training on the new standards nor addressed the paucity of culturally appropriate materials for historical and civic education. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of education increase access to civic education in Hawaii's public school system. SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the expansion of civic education in public schools, including professional development and classroom resources related to the Hawaii core standards in social studies. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to hire one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent civic education resource teacher position. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that civic education prepares students to participate in the public and political lives of their communities. Teaching students about the importance of civic engagement through civic education helps develop critical thinking skills that are vital to the functioning of a democratic nation, including how to recognize social problems, evaluate possible solutions to problems, separate evidence-based claims from opinions, and act upon what is learned. The legislature further finds that in the 2020 general election, forty states had a higher voter turnout than did Hawaii, which placed Hawaii among the ten states with the lowest voter turnout in the nation. The legislature also finds that cultivating social and political engagement among students through civic education is an important strategy available to increase voter turnout and citizen engagement over the long term. The legislature additionally finds that in 2018, the board of education adopted the Hawaii core standards in social studies. These core standards outline the content, concepts, and inquiry skills students need to reason, wonder, and think about the vastness and richness of the human condition. The Hawaii core standards in social studies also integrate and encompass the democratic values, civility, and global perspective needed to support the development of critical thinking and habits of mind that are the hallmark of a mature, community-minded citizen. The standards are also premised upon a rigorous and relevant K-12 social studies experience. The legislature finds that engaging students in the pursuit of active and informed citizenship will connect students to the world through informed instructional experiences that are led by teachers who are committed to active civic participation. In this way, students will not simply acquire and produce knowledge but will have the knowledge and skills to engage in the workings of a democracy and practice democratic citizenship. However, the legislature finds that the department of education has not engaged in systematic teacher training on the new standards nor has addressed the paucity of culturally appropriate materials for historical and civic education. The purpose of this Act is to increase access to civic education in Hawaii's public school system. SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $84,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the expansion of civic education in public schools, including professional development and classroom resources related to the Hawaii core standards in social studies. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to hire one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent civic education resource teacher position. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
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