STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1368-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.R. No. 27

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.R. No. 27 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO REINFORCE INSTRUCTION REGARDING AMERICAN CIVICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support civics education in public schools in Hawaii by urging the Department of Education to:

     (1)  Emphasize and reinforce instruction regarding American civics;

     (2)  Provide public-school students a strong foundation in American civics before they enter high school; and

     (3)  Emphasize curriculum that includes the study of the Declaration of Independence; the study of the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights; the history behind these two significant documents; and an examination of why these documents are important to each individual.

Several concerned individuals supported the measure.  The Department of Education provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended the measure by:

     (1)  Strongly urging the Department of Education to strengthen and reinforce the civic readiness, education, and engagement of students from kindergarten through grade 12 in all public schools;

     (2)  Urging the Department of Education to enhance social-studies courses and integrate content, processes, strategies, and proven practices in civic education within each public school to expand the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of public-school students in kindergarten through grade 12 to be informed, active citizens participating in an integrated world; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style, including:

          (A)  Amending all prefatory "WHEREAS" clauses to reflect the amended focus of this measure; and

          (B)  Adding recipients of certified copies of this measure.

     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.R. No. 27, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 27, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair