HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

35

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO study the feasibility of integrating PEACE EDUCATION into the SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, our country is currently involved in a war in Iraq that has killed thousands of American and Iraqi peoples, has cost the United States over 365 billion dollars, and to which there seems to be no end in sight; and

 

     WHEREAS, the violence that exists within our country is reflected in the behavior of our youth, as demonstrated by the increase in bullying in schools and situations like the Columbine High School massacre; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is very culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse, making our state unique and beautiful, but such a mixture can also lead to misunderstandings that can sometimes escalate into violence; and

 

     WHEREAS, some of the aggression that has afflicted mainland schools has also afflicted Hawaii's classrooms, with incidents of guns in schools, and severe beatings and psychological abuse among peers; and

 

     WHEREAS, the level of violence within our country and consequently, in our schools, is growing at an alarming rate, and it is becoming increasingly necessary to find other ways of resolving conflict besides fighting; and

 

     WHEREAS, there are models of experiential learning that stimulate critical thinking and teach students to work together to solve some of Hawaii's complex social issues, thereby fostering a life of compassion and an understanding of inter-dependence between peers; and


     WHEREAS, students would benefit greatly from inter-dependent activities that would help them gain knowledge of and practice the skills necessary to reduce conflicts and prevent violence on a personal as well as international level, and ultimately create more peaceful conditions within the schools and across the globe; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education (DOE) has already included character education in its standards of learning; according to its "living aloha through civil education" website, all schools will implement a comprehensive approach to character education which:

 

     (1)  Defines character in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions as indicated in the core ethical values;

 

     (2)  Provides character building experiences through all phases of school life, including the formal and informal curriculum;

 

     (3)  Is proactive--creating opportunities for teaching character as well as being responsive to teachable moments that spontaneously arise; and

 

     (4)  Provides students in each grade level with many and varied opportunities to practice respect and responsibility;

 

and

 

     WHEREAS, integrating peace education into DOE curriculum would work together with and significantly enhance character education; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Department of Education is requested to study the feasibility of integrating  peace education into the school curriculum, that would integrate lessons from other institutions such as the Pacific Buddhist Academy and Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace, the programs of which are dedicated to decreasing violence and establishing greater peace throughout the world; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOE is requested to submit a report to the Legislature, no later than twenty days prior to convening of the regular session of 2008, on the progress of its study, including:

 

     (1)  The ideas that have resulted from its discussions; and

 

     (2)  Any projected costs related to integrating peace education into the school curriculum;

 

and

 

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

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Peace Education; DOE Curriculum