STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3515

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 188

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 188 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MICRO-CREDENTIAL PILOT PROGRAM DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND THE HAWAII STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Education to implement the National Education Association Micro-Credential Pilot Program developed in collaboration with the Department's Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design and the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association and one individual.

Your Committee finds that financial barriers and a lack of accessible information prevent many local educators from participating in high-quality, competency-based micro-credentials, which are vital for strengthening instruction and allowing educators to demonstrate mastery of specific practices. Micro‑credentials also empower teachers to move up the Department's pay scale, increasing their efficacy in the classroom while improving the sustainability of their careers through higher pay. The collaboratively developed National Education Association Micro-Credential Pilot Program will help eliminate financial barriers and ensure teachers receive applicable professional development credits for their work. This measure therefore supports educator learning, leadership development, and classroom innovation.

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 S.R. No. 188 and recommends its adoption.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair