Hawaii Senate Bill SCR88

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Education To Conduct A Wellness Visit For Any Child Who Has Been Removed From A Department Of Education School To Be Homeschooled.

Impact

The implications of SCR88 could significantly enhance oversight regarding homeschooled children in the state. Given that a parent or guardian can withdraw their child from public schooling for various legitimate reasons, including disabilities or alternative educational programs, the proposed wellness visits would serve to assess the children's educational and emotional welfare. This resolution may lead to improved accountability for the educational outcomes of homeschooled children, which has become a topic of increasing importance in state education discussions.

Summary

SCR88 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that requests the Department of Education in Hawaii to conduct wellness visits for children who have been withdrawn from Department of Education schools to be homeschooled. The resolution highlights the lack of an official process for these wellness visits, which are intended to ensure the safety and well-being of homeschooled children. It points out that the current education policies do not adequately address how homeschooled students are monitored during their education outside the traditional school environment.

Contention

While the resolution has a protective intent, there may be concerns from homeschooling advocates regarding privacy and the potential for overreach by the state. Critics might argue that unnecessary monitoring could infringe on parental rights and the autonomy of families choosing to homeschool. Balancing the need for oversight with respect for family privacy will likely be a point of contention should the resolution move forward.

Notable_points

The concurrent resolution also raises awareness about the existing legal obligations of school personnel to report any suspected child abuse or neglect, further linking child welfare with educational practices. It calls for certified copies of the resolution to be transmitted to key education officials, indicating a structured approach towards implementing the proposed wellness visits within the state's educational framework.