STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1695

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.R. No. 185

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.R. No. 185 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REPORT ON WAYS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OR COURSE CREDITS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL AND EXTERNAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is requesting the Board of Education to report on ways to increase access to extended learning opportunities or course credits for non-traditional and external learning experiences

Your committee received testimony in support from Hawaii KidsCAN, Leaders for Hawaii's Future, and 2 individuals.

Your committee finds that both student who struggle with a traditional model of learning as well as those that succeed in it can benefit from learning opportunities outside of school such as internships, apprenticeships, capstones, independent study, online coursework, community service, and work-based learning programs. Your committee finds there is already an Alternative Learning Programs Branch at the Department of Education which provides statewide support for at-promise students, for whom the traditional model of education has not worked. This measure lays the groundwork for expanding opportunities for credit-bearing alternative learning for all students across the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 185 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair