THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

174

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON AUGMENTING, INCREASING, AND EXPANDING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the after school programs of the Department of Education are an important resource for working families and provide a safe, enjoyable, and educational venue for students between the end of the school day and when they can rejoin their family and caregivers; and

 

WHEREAS, the after school programs of the Department of Education include After-School Plus (A+); Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture, and Health (REACH); and Uniting Peer Learning, Integrating New Knowledge (UPLINK); and

 

WHEREAS, while A+, REACH, and UPLINK are all worthy programs, more can be done; and

 

     WHEREAS, diverse and effective after school programs can help to achieve a number of important social goals; and

 

     WHEREAS, increased monetary support for after school programs serving underprivileged youth can assist overworked, low-income families who cannot afford babysitters; and

 

     WHEREAS, after school programs help to occupy students during the hours of the day in which they are more likely to engage in criminal activity, experiment with illegal substances and alcohol, or become the victim of crime; and

 

     WHEREAS, a revitalization and expansion of after school programs can help Hawaii to prevent the occurrence of teen suicide and attempted suicide rather than to continue suffering from one of the highest rates in the nation; and

 

     WHEREAS, curriculum can be implemented in after school programs to inspire youth to do and be more; and

 

     WHEREAS, improved after school programs can help expose the youth of Hawaii on the wide variety of career opportunities available to them across the globe; and

 

     WHEREAS, teenagers in particular could be supported with opportunities for learning life skills such as money management, how to build credit, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship basics; and

 

     WHEREAS, diverse after school programming can help youth discover what sparks their passion; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that the Department of Education is urged to conduct a study on how after school programs may be augmented, increased, or expanded, and submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021; and

 

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

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Department of Education; Augmenting, Increasing, and Expanding of After School Programs