THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3162
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to civic education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii has the lowest voter turnout in the nation. In the 2018 general election, only 52.6 per cent of the State's registered voters cast a ballot. Historically, the State's lowest rate of voter participation was 52.3 per cent. One long-term strategy to increase voter turnout is to cultivate social and political engagement among students.

The legislature recognizes that, in 2015, the board of education adopted the college, career, and civic life framework for social studies state standards. This framework uses inquiry-based learning and emphasizes the application of knowledge to real-world issues and concerns. The legislature finds that civic education prepares and encourages students to participate in the public and political life of their communities and teaches issue spotting, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to increase students' access to civic education by:

(1) Appropriating funds to the department of education for the expansion of civic education in public schools, including moneys for professional development and classroom resources related to the college, career, and civic life framework for social studies; and

(2) Establishing and appropriating funds for one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent civic education resource teacher within the department of education.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the expansion of civic education in public schools, including professional development and classroom resources related to the college, career, and civic life framework for social studies state standards.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $84,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent civic education resource teacher in the department of education to guide and train social studies teachers in all complex areas on best practices for implementing the college, career, and civic life framework for social studies state standards.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Education; Civic Education; Public Schools; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for expansion of civic education in public schools, including moneys for a civic education resource teacher and professional development and resources related to the college, career, and civic life framework for social studies state standards.

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