THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

211

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

Urging the department of education to incorporate media literacy into the existing state PUBLIC school curriculum.

 

 

 


WHEREAS, the modern digital landscape has influenced access and exposure to various media reporting on current events, thereby shaping the public's perception of reality; and

 

     WHEREAS, media literacy is a critical skill that allows people to access, analyze, and evaluate information; create messages; and communicate using a variety of forms; and

 

     WHEREAS, the responsible use of technology is an increasingly vital skill in modern times – one that children should be taught from a young age; and

 

     WHEREAS, students from kindergarten through grade twelve should be educated in media literacy to achieve the skills and experiences needed to become full participants in the digital world, including preparation in understanding how media shapes perceptions; and

 

     WHEREAS, equipping teachers with policies, training, and tools for media literacy will help them better instruct their students on how to safely and responsibly access digital media; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2018, the State of California enacted Senate Bill No. 830, which would ensure young adults are prepared with media literacy skills necessary to safely, responsibly, and critically consume and use social media and other forms of media by requiring the California Department of Education to make available to school districts on its website a list of resources and instructional materials on media literacy, including media literacy professional development programs for teachers; and

     WHEREAS, in 2019, the State of Colorado enacted HB 19-1110, which created a Media Literacy Advisory Committee responsible for reporting to the education committees of the Colorado State Senate and House of Representatives recommendations for implementing media literacy in elementary and secondary education; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2021, Colorado took into consideration several of the recommendations made by the Media Literacy Advisory Committee and enacted HB 21-1103, which:

 

     (1)  Requires the Colorado Department of Education to create and maintain an online resource bank of materials and resources pertaining to media literacy and provide technical assistance, upon request, to a school district, charter school, institute charter school, or board of cooperative services, with implementing policies and procedures, best practices, and recommendations related to media literacy; and

 

     (2)  Requires the Colorado Board of Education to review and adopt revisions that implement media literacy within reading, writing, and civics standards; and

 

     WHEREAS, preparing students to use technology in a responsible manner will encourage them to become well-informed and productive digital citizens; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Department of Education is urged to incorporate media literacy into the existing state public school curriculum; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to consider incorporating media literacy instruction into an English or Social Studies course; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to review the Media Literacy Advisory Committee Report submitted to the House and Senate Education Committees of the Colorado General Assembly in December 2019 and consider legislation similar to that passed in California and Colorado to promote media literacy by incorporating media literacy into the existing state public school curriculum; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, and Superintendent of Education.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Education; Media Literacy