HB2483

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that education provides countless benefits to both individuals and society. The economic benefit to individuals is well‑documented: higher levels of education correlate to higher income and wage potential. Higher levels of education also correspond to positive perceptions of personal health and an increase in civic participation, such as volunteering, voting, and donating blood. Individuals with higher levels of education are also less likely to rely on social services programs. In addition, studies indicate that higher levels of education in a society correspond to lower levels of poverty, unemployment, and incarceration for that society.

Yet, despite the advantages of an education, Hawaii students drop‑out of school at an estimated rate of thirty per cent each year. Only about thirty‑two per cent of Hawaii high school graduates continue directly to college and only forty‑seven per cent of those students earn a bachelor's degree within six years. According to a recent study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, Hawaii has experienced the steepest decline in the nation in the number of high school students likely to enroll in college by age nineteen. This was attributed, in part, to the decrease in the number of Hawaii ninth graders graduating from high school in four years.

Society often relies on teachers to instill an appreciation for learning in students. However, we can all play an important part in ensuring that students understand the value of education. Responsible adults can serve as mentors and positive role models to students. Students can help each other through peer tutoring programs. Parents, in particular, can greatly influence and support their children's success in school. Ultimately, though, students have to want to learn.

The college of education of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, in collaboration with the Truancy Reduction Demonstration Project in Hawaii, developed three public service announcements to help the audience value education, build connections to school, and plant seeds of personal responsibility. These public services announcements can be used as part of a greater initiative to raise public awareness of the value of education.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to develop and implement a campaign to promote a culture of learning and higher education achievement in Hawaii.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of education shall convene a task force to develop and implement a campaign in 2009 to promote a culture of learning and higher education achievement in Hawaii. The task force shall include a representative of:

(1) The University of Hawaii at Manoa, college of education;

(2) The University of Hawaii, college of arts and sciences, who is experienced in adolescent development, particularly acquisition of personal and social assets and prevention of problematic behaviors, if possible;

(3) The department of education;

(4) The department of human services;

(5) The department of health;

(6) The Hawaii state public library system;

(7) The arts and cultural development branch of the department of business, economic development, and tourism;

(8) Each county police department; and

(9) One or more high school student government bodies.

(b) The task force shall:

(1) Identify ways that individuals can contribute to a culture of learning and higher education achievement in Hawaii, including identifying existing successful initiatives or programs in Hawaii or elsewhere;

(2) Identify various benefits of education, including economic, health, and social;

(3) Promote the benefits of education and the ways that individuals can contribute to a culture of learning and higher education achievement in Hawaii through a campaign to be implemented no later than January, 2009;

(4) As part of the campaign:

(A) Use public service announcements, such as the three public service announcements developed by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, college of education;

(B) Prepare an information pamphlet:

(i) For parents, that outlines easy and effective ways to support their children's learning;

(ii) For students, that outlines the benefits of education and includes ways to enhance and further the education experience for students, such as through participation in youth programs; and

(iii) For other individuals, that outlines ways to promote a culture of learning and higher education achievement in Hawaii, such as through participation in mentoring programs or by creating scholarship opportunities; and

(C) Enlist television or sports personalities, civic or political dignitaries, or other role models to help promote the value of education;

(5) Submit:

(A) An interim report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session; and

(B) A final report, including an accounting and any findings and recommendations for future campaign efforts, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2010 regular session; and

(6) Cease to exist on June 30, 2010.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the development and support of a campaign to promote a culture of learning and higher education achievement in Hawaii.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 of the Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2483
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII