RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, a representative democracy depends on an informed, prepared, and willing public, capable of playing an active role in government; and

WHEREAS, participation in representative democracy can be instilled in our youth through public education, which 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, despite the Department of Education's efforts to promote academic achievement, civic responsibility, and holistic development among its students, 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, advisory councils, and commissions 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, advisory councils, or commissions can develop the skills, conduct, and attitudes needed to collaborate, build consensus, and work toward common goals with others, skills essential to supporting and sustaining a vibrant representative democracy and a society guided by the principles of productivity and interdependency; 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 create policies to allow the Department of Education to grant elective school credit to high school students who participate on non-profit boards, advisory councils, or commissions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the elective school credit these students receive shall apply toward their graduation requirements; 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; SERVICE ON BOARDS, ADVISORY COUNCILS, COMMISSIONS