Bill Text: HI SR120 | 2015 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Hawaii 3 to 6 Programs; Out-of-School Programs; Department of Education

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-06-16 - Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06-16-15. [SR120 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-SR120-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	120
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ORGANIZE AND COORDINATE OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE AND IDENTIFY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

 

 

     WHEREAS, approximately seventy-four percent of all children in Hawaii are raised by working families; and

 

     WHEREAS, approximately 4,645 children in Hawaii are homeless and can benefit from a safe, structured out-of-school environment; and

 

     WHEREAS, the purpose of out-of-school programs is to provide quality care and a quality learning experience while preventing Hawaii's youth from engaging in risky behaviors that may lead to tobacco, alcohol, or drug use or teen pregnancy and often result in youth dropping out of school or not being prepared to enter the workforce; and

 

     WHEREAS, many out-of-school programs offered by community organizations are expensive and often inaccessible due to the high demand for services driven by lack of out-of-school programming throughout the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is the second most expensive state for before and after school child care, with the average annual cost reaching $8,900 in 2012; and

 

     WHEREAS, thirty-nine percent of all Hawaii children who are not enrolled in an out-of-school program would be likely to participate in a program if one were available in the community, regardless of their current child care arrangement; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has been recognized by Afterschool Alliance as one of the top ten states for providing out-of-school programs; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has set a standard for providing excellent out-of-school care by decreasing the percentage of children providing self-care from thirty-three percent in 2009 to seventeen percent in 2014; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education established the successful After-School Plus Program in 1990, implemented a statewide high school junior varsity and varsity athletics program for ninth through twelfth graders, piloted two middle and intermediate school athletics programs at the Nanakuli-Waianae and Kau-Keeau-Pau Complex Areas, and implemented career and technical education programs that provide high school students opportunities to acquire practical skills through the application of academic understanding and hands-on experience; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's children continue to be the beneficiaries of the Department of Education's relationship with statewide child care providers and all out-of-school program providers, and information gathered about out-of-school programs would allow for better review and collaboration of all out-of-school programs; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State has a responsibility to provide its youth with a variety of educational out-of-school activities that build character and self-esteem; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Department of Education is requested to work with the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, University of Hawaii, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations to identify out-of-school programs offered throughout the State, including programs that are listed in the Hawaii Community Foundation's "Analysis of the Fiscal Resources Supporting At-Risk Youth, Ages 13-24, in Hawaii" (February 2012), organize and coordinate out-of-school programs for kindergarten through twelfth grade, and identify funding opportunities for current and future Department of Education out-of-school programs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to determine the cost of these out-of-school programs for middle and intermediate schools and the cost of maintaining out-of-school programs for kindergarten through twelfth grade; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to identify and acquire funding through federal funds dedicated to disadvantaged communities, grants, revenue-generating opportunities, and by determining user fees associated with out-of-school programs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to consider seeking future funding for current and future out-of-school programs for kindergarten through twelfth grade through tobacco, cigarette, and alcohol tax increases to be established as a dedicated funding stream for out-of-school programs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that out-of-school programs offered through the Department of Education be known as Hawaii 3 to 6 programs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to administer Hawaii 3 to 6 programs and to make all public school campuses eligible to receive funding for Hawaii 3 to 6 programs; provided that in the event of insufficient funding, priority be given to high poverty elementary, middle, intermediate, and high schools and programs that meet specified quality standards; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Executive Director of the State Public Charter School Commission, and Chairperson of the State Public Charter School Commission.

Report Title: 

Hawaii 3 to 6 Programs; Out-of-School Programs; Department of Education