THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	18
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO WORK WITH APPROPRIATE ENTITIES TO EXTEND THE LENGTH OF THE SCHOOL DAY TO ACCOMMODATE INCREASED PHYSICAL EDUCATION, ART, AND MUSIC REQUIREMENTS, AND OTHER SPECIAL PROJECTS, WHICH MAY INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND COMPETITIONS.

     WHEREAS, the number of obese children has tripled over the past three decades, posing serious health risks and rapidly rising obesity-related health care costs for ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and asthma; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's adolescent obesity rate has doubled over the past two decades, with twenty-two per cent of boys and girls in Hawaii considered overweight; and

     WHEREAS, studies have shown that a child who is physically healthy is more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful; and

     WHEREAS, children spend a large part of their lives in school, thus giving schools the opportunity to help them get more physical exercise and provide education on health maintenance; and

     WHEREAS, although high school graduation requirements include one credit of physical education, there is a lack of an adequate and consistent physical education curriculum at the elementary and middle school grade levels; and

     WHEREAS, art and music instruction in the public schools has been curtailed or eliminated to focus on academic requirements and standards; and

     WHEREAS, art instruction promotes an appreciation for society's creative expressions of various art forms and encourages individual creativity; and

     WHEREAS, studies show that music instruction helps with a student's acquisition of logic and math skills; and

     WHEREAS, participation in other school-related special projects, including after school activities and competitions such as those that involve learning the practical applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and other fields of study teach students the value of teamwork, professionalism, and the commitment to problem-solving; and

     WHEREAS, a significant increase in the amount of activity and exercise in a physical education curriculum, art, and music instruction during school hours, and instruction or participation in applied learning activities and competitions would require a longer school day; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is respectfully requested to work with the Board of Education, the Governor, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association to consider extending the school day for elementary and middle schools to accommodate increased physical education, art, and music requirements, as well as other after school activities and competitions, which may include those involving applied learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, to prevent the development of adult obesity and to further the well-being and preparation of Hawaii's youth in the future; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the discussion and analysis should encompass the time and resources necessary for participation in after school activities and competitions that provide students applied learning and experiential learning opportunities, including discussion of the necessary staffing and other logistical requirements for those activities and programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the Governor, and the President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Report Title: 

DOE; Physical Education; Length of School Day