STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1268

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 162

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Education and Higher Education, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 162 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COORDINATE WITH HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS AND HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN HAWAII AND TO PARTNER WITH DEBATE ORGANIZATIONS IN ORGANIZING EVENTS FOR STUDENTS TO DEBATE ON CURRENT ISSUES AFFECTING HAWAII AND THE NATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Education to coordinate with high school associations and higher education institutions in Hawaii and partner with debate organizations in organizing events for students to debate current issues affecting Hawaii and the nation.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Education and University of Hawaii System.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that participation in debate events allows participants of diverse cultural, geographical, philosophical, and political backgrounds to have meaningful discourse on critical issues.  Your Committees further find that participation in debate is especially valuable for students, and helps them to develop skills in public speaking and critical thinking, as well as knowledge of current events.  This measure will facilitate greater coordination and partnerships between education institutions and debate organizations to provide valuable opportunities for Hawaii's students to participate in high-quality debate events.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Higher Education that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 162 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Higher Education,

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair

________________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair