Urging The Department Of Education To Report To The Legislature Regarding The Amount Of Public School Space Available To Be Used For Preschool Classrooms And The Number Of Public School Teachers Certified To Teach Early Childhood Education.
This resolution aims to address the reported decline in preschool enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw Hawaii's public preschool system operating at approximately fifty-five percent capacity. By guiding the Department of Education to assess available space and the status of early childhood education teachers, SCR209 reinforces the state's commitment to enhancing preschool opportunities. The legislation is crucial in planning educational investments, particularly as Hawaii has made the expansion of its preschool programs a priority in recent years.
SCR209, a Senate Concurrent Resolution from Hawaii, urges the Department of Education to provide a report to the legislature on the availability of public school space suitable for preschool classrooms as well as the number of certified public school teachers qualified to teach early childhood education. The resolution emphasizes the significant psychological and societal benefits derived from investing in early childhood education, highlighting that such programs not only prepare children for academic success but also offer long-term economic benefits to society. It bases its rationale on extensive research indicating that for every dollar spent on early childhood initiatives, society saves multiple dollars on later social and education-related costs.
While SCR209 is largely focused on providing a path for enhancing preschool services, it may traverse discussions about budget allocations within the Department of Education and resource distribution among existing educational programs. There can be concerns about how such initiatives are funded and whether reallocating resources from other areas of the education system, such as K-12 schooling, will affect overall educational outcomes. Additionally, it raises awareness about the critical period of child development prior to age five, thereby pushing for a more robust framework around early education.