THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

220

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO SERVICE-LEARNING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that learning through community service volunteering activities, known as service-learning, is a powerful instructional strategy for improving the educational performance of students.  Students who participate in service‑learning experience numerous positive outcomes, including a positive development of character, values, self‑esteem, civic responsibility, and knowledge of local community issues and concerns; higher academic achievement; higher attendance rates; a greater sense of civic responsibility; greater acceptance of cultural diversity; increased awareness of cultural difference; positive attitudes toward helping others; greater social competency; lower dropout rates; lower disciplinary rates; and lower rates of engagement in behaviors that lead to arrest or pregnancy.  Community leaders report that service-learning partnerships help to build positive community attitudes toward youths.  In addition, schools that support service-learning are more likely to have positive relationships within their communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to require public schools to implement a service-learning curriculum.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Service-learning curriculum.  (a)  No later than the 2024-2025 school year, the department shall implement a service-learning curriculum for students in grades nine through twelve.  The service-learning curriculum shall be approved by the board.  The purpose of the curriculum shall be to develop character, values, self-esteem, civic responsibility, financial literacy, and knowledge of local community issues and concerns through community service volunteer work.  Completion of the service-learning curriculum shall be a requirement for graduation.

     (b)  The service-learning curriculum shall:

     (1)  Specify a minimum number of hours of community service volunteer work that shall be completed by each student;

     (2)  Include evidence-based and applied instructional practices for developing service-learning skills;

     (3)  Identify the ways that the curriculum aligns with and is supportive of common core state standards;

     (4)  Require students to learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized community service volunteer work that shall:

          (A)  Be conducted in, and meet the needs of, a community;

          (B)  Be coordinated with a secondary school and the community; and

          (C)  Help to foster civic responsibility;

     (5)  Be integrated into and enhance the students' standards-based curriculum;

     (6)  Provide structured time for each student to reflect on the student's volunteer experience;

     (7)  Provide model lessons and activities specific to each grade level; and

     (8)  Identify supporting instructional materials.

     (c)  The service-learning curriculum shall be posted on the department's website.  The website shall also encourage private schools and charter schools to follow the service-learning curriculum."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.


 


 

Report Title:

DOE; Service-learning; Curriculum; Community Service Volunteer Work

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to implement a service-learning curriculum to develop student character, values, self-esteem, civic responsibility, financial literacy, and knowledge of local community issues and concerns though community service volunteer work.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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