HR148

WHEREAS, education is one of the most important factors in a person's future success therefore improving and increasing access to education by finding ways to expand educational opportunities is of utmost importance; and

WHEREAS, collaboration between the University of Hawaii System and local high schools has led to the growth of dual credit programs, which allow high school students to simultaneously earn credit towards high school graduation and a college degree; and

WHEREAS, these programs are based on a model that has been found to have significant positive outcomes for students who participate in them by numerous reputable institutions such as Hawaii P-20, the University of Texas, the American Institute for Research, and the United States Department of Education to name a few; and

WHEREAS, the What Works Clearing House of the United States Department of Education published a report in 2017 stating that dual enrollment programs were found to have positive effects on students’ degree attainment, college access and enrollment, credit accumulation, high school completion, and general academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Department of Education's mission is to ensure all students reach their goals therefore the department should work with participants such as Hawaii P-20 and Jobs For the Future to expand these programs for the maximum benefit to our children; and

WHEREAS, special attention should be given to expansion of dual credit programs for rural schools. Many of these students are inadvertently penalized from taking advantage of these programs because of their location and the distance to participating colleges. Technological advances should be leveraged to overcome these barriers; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the Department of Education is requested to expand dual credit opportunities that provide more high school students with the opportunity to earn credits, or even an associate's degree, before graduating high school.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit an annual report providing information on the expansion of dual credit programs to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to each Regular Session beginning in 2021 and to make these reports available on its website; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of the Department of Education, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Hawaii P-20, Jobs For the Future, and other educational providers.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Dual Credit, High School, Education, Early College

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	148
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII