THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

85

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

requesting the governor to adopt a statewide policy to encourage the enrollment of hawaii's children in early childhood education programs.

 

WHEREAS, research indicates that eighty-five percent of a child's development occurs within the first five years of life, which presents a limited opportunity for development that can lay the foundation for a child's future academic success; and

WHEREAS, studies indicate that the provision of early childhood education, particularly for children of lower income families, can dramatically improve their academic success and educational achievements through adulthood; and

WHEREAS, increased participation in early childhood education programs can minimize future social costs and improve current workforce productivity; and

WHEREAS, there is an increasing need for access to affordable early childhood education programs in Hawaii, particularly for children from low-income or working families; and

WHEREAS, in Hawaii, quality early childhood education programs are not only scarce, but also unaffordable for many families; and

WHEREAS, a lack of information and assistance for accessing the available resources presents a major obstacle to the utilization of funding sources and programs currently available within the State; and

WHEREAS, there are a variety of funding sources providing assistance to families in need of early childhood education programs, of which many individuals are unaware; and

WHEREAS, policies and procedures must be implemented in order to ensure that existing federal, state, and private funding is properly utilized to provide programs and assistance to our young children for their social and academic success; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that the Governor is requested to adopt a statewide policy that encourages the enrollment of Hawaii's children in early childhood education programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State's commitment to early childhood education should be supported by:

(1) Developing policies and procedures for encouraging the enrollment of children in organized early childhood education programs;

(2) Improving access to assistance programs and affordable early childhood education programs;

(3) Improving methods of informing families of the available assistance programs and early childhood education programs;

(4) Providing assistance to families for obtaining monetary or other forms of assistance, including through the provision of assistance with the application processes to interested families; and

(5) Requiring all departments and agencies to evaluate state contracts to include requirements that support the state's policy of encouraging enrollment in early childhood education programs;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Early Childhood Education