Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Performance Audit Of The Driver Education Program Administered By The Departments Of Transportation And Education.
The resolution highlights that prior to the pandemic, there was already a significant lack of available instructor-led classes on the neighbor islands, causing many students to have to travel to Oahu for education. With COVID-19 exacerbating this situation, many instructors were unavailable and the flexibility to conduct online instruction was limited, thereby leading to further inequalities in access to driver education. The performance audit mandated by HCR125 aims to provide clarity on how to effectively manage and administer these programs to ensure fair access for all residents, especially those living in more remote areas.
HCR125 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii, seeking to address issues with the state's Driver Education Program administered by the Departments of Transportation and Education. The resolution requests the Auditor to conduct a performance audit aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and equitability of the driver education program. The backdrop for this resolution includes challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily disrupted the program's operations and led to a backlog of driving education classes, particularly impacting residents of the neighbor islands.
While the resolution itself does not set new laws, it calls for a careful evaluation of the existing driver education policies and procedures. Notable points of contention may arise from how the audit's findings could influence future educational strategies and funding for the Driver Education Program. Stakeholders may debate the effectiveness of remote learning options versus traditional class formats, access disparities between urban and rural communities, and how quickly and efficiently the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education can address these challenges to enhance the driver education experience.
The Auditor is tasked with reporting back to the legislature with findings and recommendations, including any potential legislative proposals that might arise from the audit. This could effectively reshape how driver education is approached in the state and ensure that all residents, regardless of geographic location, receive a fair opportunity in driver education training.