THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1515

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to education.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that approximately seventy-four per cent of all children in Hawaii are raised by working families.  The Afterschool Alliance reports that thirty-eight per cent of all Hawaii children who are not enrolled in an afterschool program would be likely to participate in a program if one were available in the community.

     Approximately 1,355 children in Hawaii are homeless and can benefit from a safe, structured out-of-school environment.  Out-of-school programs can be aligned with the school day to complement, but not duplicate, learning and can expose students to the arts, culture, literacy, fitness, math, science, character development, and community service.  The purpose of out-of-school programs is to provide quality care and a quality learning experience while preventing Hawaii's youth from engaging in risky behaviors that may lead to tobacco, alcohol, or drug use or teen pregnancy and often result in youth dropping out of school or not being prepared to enter the workforce.  Many out-of-school programs offered by community organizations are expensive and often inaccessible due to the high demand for services driven by lack of out-of-school programming throughout the State.  The State has a responsibility to provide its youth with a variety of educational out-of-school activities that build character and self-esteem.

     Hawaii has been recognized by Afterschool Alliance as one of the top ten states for providing out-of-school programs.  More than a decade of research confirms that quality afterschool programs inspire and motivate children to learn, support children's social and emotional growth, and help raise academic achievement.  A study of outcomes associated with participation in afterschool programs found that students who regularly participate during the elementary school years showed a variety of gains, including:  narrowing the math achievement gap at grade five between high-income and low-income students; improving work habits and self-sufficiency; and reducing the number of school absences.  Furthermore, seventy-two per cent of parents surveyed in Hawaii agree that afterschool programs help working parents to keep their jobs.

     However, each day after the school day ends, seventeen per cent or approximately 36,474 of Hawaii's youth in grades K-12 are responsible for taking care of themselves.

     States have supported policies that expand learning opportunities to advance a range of state education and youth goals.  These opportunities, known as Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELOs), offer structured learning environments outside the traditional school day hours through before- and after-school programs.  They provide a range of enrichment and learning activities in various subjects, including arts, civic engagement, language, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

     The approximate total to fund out-of-school and after-school programs is $21,000,000, divided as follows:  A-plus program, $1,000,000; middle school program including intermediate athletics, $9,000,000; junior varsity and varsity athletics, $8,000,000; and career and technical education, $3,000,000.  The legislature recognizes the importance of these programs and proposes a phased funding plan over the next three fiscal years, as follows:

     (1)  Phase I, fiscal year 2019-2020:  $          

     Middle schools (fifty-four department of education schools and thirty public charter schools);

     (2)  Phase II, fiscal year 2020-2021:  $          

     Forty-four public high schools; and

     (3)  Phase III, fiscal year 2021-2022:  $          

     One hundred seventy-three public elementary schools and seven public charter schools.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program;

     (2)  Create the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program special fund;

     (3)  Provide a single funding source to fund after-school programs included in the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program, such as the following:  After-school plus program (A+); After-School All-Stars; athletics; career and technical education; middle school programming; Resources for Enrichment, Athletics, Culture, and Health for Hawaii (R.E.A.C.H.); United Peers Learning, Integrating New Knowledge (UPLINK); and 21st Century Community Learning Centers; and

     (4)  Make an appropriation.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A‑A  Hawaii three to six out-of-school program.  (a)  There is established within the department the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program for grades kindergarten through twelve, to be conducted during after-school hours, on weekends, and during inter-sessions.  All public schools, including charter schools, may participate in and be eligible for funding through the program.  The department may contract with private providers to furnish the program; provided that this section shall not be interpreted to impose any liability whatsoever of any kind or nature upon the department, its employees, or its agents.

     (b)  The program shall be funded from appropriations from the three-to-six out-of-school special fund established under section 302A‑B.  Additionally, the department:

     (1)  Shall seek private funding sources, including federal grants, private entities, individuals, nonprofit organizations, and religious entities; provided that donated or voluntary services shall be deemed the equivalent of funding; and

     (2)  May collect fees from student participants in the program.

     §302A-B  Hawaii three to six out-of-school program special fund.  There is established in the state treasury the Hawaii three to six out-of-school special fund to be administered by the department.  The special fund shall consist of appropriations made by the legislature and fees and donations as provided in section 302A-A."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for deposit into the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program special fund established under section 2 of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program special fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for implementation costs and expenses for the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program established under section 2 of this act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Education; Hawaii Three to Six Out-of-School Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program for grades kindergarten through twelve.  Authorizes the department of education to contract with private providers to furnish out-of-school programs for grades kindergarten through twelve, conducted during after-school hours, on weekends, and during inter-sessions on the premises of the private providers. Specifies the Hawaii three to six out-of-school program special fund is to be administered by the department of education.  Makes appropriations.

 

 

 

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