HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

619

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ETHNIC STUDIES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Ethnic studies.  (a)  Beginning with students graduating at the end of the 2029–2030 school year, each student shall complete at least one semester course in ethnic studies while in high school.

     (b)  Each ethnic studies course shall:

     (1)  Include information on native Hawaiian language, history, culture, and sustainability taught by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and other qualified educators;

     (2)  Include information on the migration to Hawaii by the various ethnic groups and their contributions to Hawaii;

     (3)  Be appropriate for students of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and disabilities;

     (4)  Not reflect or promote, directly or indirectly, any bias, bigotry, or discrimination against any person or group of persons; and

     (5)  Not teach or promote religious doctrine."

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The superintendent of education shall develop, adopt, modify, or revise a model curriculum in ethnic studies to ensure quality courses of ethnic studies.

     (b)  The model curriculum shall be developed with participation from faculty of ethnic studies programs at the university of Hawaii and high school teachers who have relevant experience or educational background in the study and teaching of ethnic studies.

     (c)  The superintendent of education shall make the model curriculum publicly available and accept public comments for at least sixty days thereafter.  The superintendent of education may then amend the model curriculum in response to public comment and shall not be required to accept further public comment on the amended model curriculum.

     (d)  After satisfying the requirements of subsection (b), the superintendent of education, on or before December 31, 2023, shall make the model curriculum publicly available and submit it to the board of education for approval.  The board of education shall adopt or reject the submitted model curriculum on or before March 31, 2024.

     (e)  If the board of education rejects the submitted model curriculum, the superintendent of education shall amend the submitted model curriculum and resubmit it to the board of education within sixty days of the rejection.  The board of education shall then adopt or reject the amended submitted model curriculum within sixty days of resubmission.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Ethnic Studies; Required Course

 

Description:

Requires public school students to complete a course in ethnic studies.  Requires the superintendent of education to develop a model curriculum in ethnic studies, circulate the curriculum for public comment, and obtain approval of the curriculum from the board of education.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD1)

 

 

 

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