A Bill to obtain school credit for participation in Varsity Sports.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature supports efforts by the department of education to encourage academic achievement, civic responsibility, and holistic development among its students. The legislature believes that excellence in all areas of human development--academic, artistic, civic, social, and athletic--contributes to the enrichment of our culture and the overall well-being of our Pacific island community.

Varsity sports, like community service and civic engagement, have been found to be effective in helping students develop skills and abilities not normally attained in usual curricular activities. In addition to teaching sportsmanship, teamwork, and striving for personal excellence, varsity sports also help develop an aptitude in collaboration, consensus building, and working towards a common goal, skills which are essential for supporting and sustaining a democratic society. Varsity sports also help develop attitudes, skills, and conduct essential for a vibrant participatory democracy, and for a society guided by the values of peace, social justice, and economic sustainability.

The purpose of this Act is to encourage continued student participation in varsity sports activity through incentives in the form of elective school credits that can be applied toward a student's graduation requirement.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated to read as follows:

"§302A-      Elective credit for student participation in school-sanctioned varsity sports. The department shall grant elective school credit to any student participating in a school-sanctioned varsity sport which credit shall apply toward the student's graduation requirement."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon approval.