STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1143

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 192

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Education and Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 192 entitled:

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

beg 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 Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Sustainability Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative, The Kohala Center, and eleven individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

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

     Your Committees further find 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.  In working toward this goal, your Committees encourage the Board of Education and the Department of Education to consult with the University of Hawaii System, as the University of Hawaii West Oahu is currently developing a Bachelor's degree in sustainability.

     Your Committees have 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 records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 192, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 192, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Water and Land,

____________________________ MALAMA SOLOMON, Chair

____________________________ JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair