Relating To Student Out-of-service-area Attendance.
The bill will gradually reduce the number of students required to attend schools outside their designated service area over the course of five years. For the upcoming school years, specific targets are set to incrementally lower the percentage of sixth graders assigned outside their service areas, culminating in a maximum of twenty percent by the 2027-2028 school year. This phased approach is intended to ease overcrowding in schools like those in the Kapolei complex by allowing students to remain within their local educational systems.
Senate Bill 250 addresses the issue of school overcrowding in Hawaii by seeking to end the Department of Education's practice of mandating that students attend schools outside their service areas. The bill is based on findings that overcrowding negatively impacts student achievement, teacher morale, and overall school functioning. The legislature expresses concern that current practices lead to a need for multi-tracking, which has been shown to adversely affect performance on national assessments and increase stress among students and teachers.
Notably, the bill has implications for state education statutes, particularly concerning student attendance requirements as laid out in Section 302A-1143 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. While proponents of the bill advocate for decisions that favor local community needs and educational equity, opponents may raise concerns regarding capacity and available resources for accommodating students within their service areas. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Education to report annually on its progress, ensuring accountability in implementing these changes.