RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, a representative democracy is dependent on people who are informed, prepared, willing, and capable of playing active roles in government; and

WHEREAS, participation in representative democracy is a learned behavior and public education was established on this premise; and

WHEREAS, for decades, people have become increasingly disengaged from the civic and political institutions of our country, behavior that results from experiences starting at a young age; and

WHEREAS, youth participation appears to be increasing in the areas of volunteerism, community service, and religious activity, but youth awareness of social issues has decreased due to fewer opportunities for political discussions and a weaker connection between youth and the community; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that schools have the mission to "advance the endowment of human nature itself, so that each succeeding generation finds itself further along the road towards peace, social justice, and environmental sustainability in a society guided by creativity, compassion, and curiosity," as expressed in the Reinventing Education Act of 2004, Act 51, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature supports the Department of Education's efforts to promote academic achievement, civic responsibility, and holistic development among its students; and

WHEREAS, only a few high schools have integrated civic learning into the fabric of their curriculum; and

WHEREAS, the youth of Hawaii have demonstrated a desire to be engaged and connected with their community and the world around them beyond what academic disciplines can offer; and

WHEREAS, participation on non-profit boards is a form of community service and political engagement that helps students develop the attitudes, skills, and abilities that may not be learned through the academic disciplines or curricular programs of a regular school day; and

WHEREAS, students who participate on non-profit boards can develop the skills, conduct, and attitudes needed to collaborate, build consensus, and work toward common goals with others, which are skills essential to supporting and sustaining a vibrant representative democracy and a society guided by the principles of productivity and interdependency; and

WHEREAS, students who participate on the Board of Education while simultaneously pursuing academic success can also learn the value of service to their peers, schools, and the Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, by participating on the Board of Education, students may have to miss classes to attend meetings; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Board of Education is urged to adopt policies that allow the Department of Education to grant elective school credit to the student member of the Board of Education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any elective school credit granted will apply toward the student's graduation requirement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

Report Title:

School Credit; Board of Education Student Member