STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1574

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 178

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 178, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION INTO THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Board of Education to incorporate sustainability education into the science curriculum of public schools.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from The Kohala Center, Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network, Hawaii Sustainable Education Initiative, Kokua Hawaii Foundation, The Green House Hawaii, Nature Talks, and eighteen individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Education and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the sustainable use of resources and clean energy are essential to Hawaii given its location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 

     Your Committee further finds that sustainability education should be incorporated into the current courses at Hawaii's public schools so that children can learn to protect the unique character of the State and provide security for generations of residents to come. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding findings regarding the Board of Education's Policy No. 6710, relating to sustainability at Department of Education facilities;

     (2)  Deleting the language requesting the Board of Education to incorporate sustainability into the science curriculum of public schools;

     (3)  Requesting the Board of Education to review and modify Board Policy No. 6710 to identify ways to incorporate sustainability education and environmental stewardship at the classroom level, specifically identifying the common core and/or content areas that may incorporate such classes;

     (4)  Adding language requesting that the Board of Education and Department of Education identify and encourage, as appropriate, opportunities to engage students, classes, and schools in activities including but not limited to project-based learning, mentorships, and data collection in connection with Board Policy No. 6710 at the complex area support level;

     (5)  Changing its title to read, "REQUESTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REVIEW AND MODIFY BOARD POLICY NO. 6710 TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO INCORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AT THE CLASSROOM LEVEL"; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 178, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 178, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair