|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
743 |
|
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to controversial public school curriculum.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that parents of students have the right to be fully informed on subjects and lessons taught to their children in public schools. If public schools are teaching materials and courses that some parents find incompatible with their own values, the schools should be as transparent about their teachings as possible.
The Board of Education's Policy 101.13 concerning controversial issues discussed in the classroom does not include parental notification or an opt-out clause. Currently, the Department of Education mentions an opt-out process on their website, but there is no existing codified policy regarding the ability for a parent to be notified of controversial topics or to choose to opt-out of participation.
The purpose of this Act is to promote transparency and accountability by requiring public schools to disclose all controversial content to parents seven days before such instructional materials are circulated to students.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302-A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Education
on controversial issues. (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a
public school shall provide written notice to the parents or legal guardians of
a student no less than seven days before providing the student with
instructions or instructional materials that are controversial in nature. The notification shall give enough detailed
information for the parent or legal guardian to make an informed decision for
their child. A student shall not receive
the instructions or instructional materials if a parent or legal guardian
submits a written objection to the public school.
(b) This section shall not be construed to
prohibit the board, the department, or a public school from implementing or
complying with policies that require affirmative consent from a parent or legal
guardian before the school provides instruction or instructional materials to a
student.
(c) For purposes of this section:
"Controversial"
means likely to provoke strong disagreement among reasonable people.
"Instruction"
includes curriculum, classes, supplementary lectures and classes, and
educational activities that take place during school hours or in afterschool
programs.
"Instructional materials" include textbooks, curriculum pamphlets, supplementary materials, electronic data, or audiovisual media relating to the instruction of an issue."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon approval.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Education; Public Schools; Controversial Issues
Description:
Requires public schools to provide parents or legal guardians advance written notice of instruction, provision of materials, or activities that address controversial issues.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.