THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

362

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

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 the modern digital world influences media content of news on current events, thereby shaping the public's perception.  Media literacy is a necessary skill that allows all citizens to access, analyze, and evaluate information using a variety of forms of communication.  At the same time, "digital citizens" must have the ability to recognize and value the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world in order to engage in safe, legal, and ethical behaviors.

     The legislature further finds that students from grades kindergarten through twelve should be educated in media literacy to obtain the skills and experiences needed to become full and healthy participants in the digital world, including instruction in understanding how media shapes perceptions, healthy or unhealthy behaviors, and decision-making.

     The legislature also finds that students use technology to play, learn, and communicate at school and home and need to learn how to use technology responsibly.  Students must understand how to use personal technology in ways that are safe and healthy, and that augment their learning experience, which is necessary to analyze and evaluate information transmitted by media.

     The legislature further finds that instruction in media literacy should be incorporated into every classroom and every curriculum content area to prepare students to live and work in a digital world.  Teachers have an obligation to guide students' exploration of the digital landscape and encourage them to be critical thinkers.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of education to develop a plan to implement curricula for digital citizenship and media literacy based on recommendations and strategies provided by an advisory committee.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of education shall convene an advisory committee to make recommendations for purposes of developing the plan under subsection (c).  The advisory committee shall include:

     (1)  Experts in media literacy, including but not limited to academic experts and non-profit organizations; and

     (2)  Other stakeholders, including but not limited to teachers, librarians, parent organizations, administrators and students; provided that the stakeholders pursuant to this paragraph reflect regional representation, including rural areas.

     (b)  The advisory committee shall 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 2022.  The report shall include:

     (1)  The timeline for implementing instruction in digital citizenship and media literacy for grades kindergarten through twelve; and

     (2)  Recommendations that include but are not limited to:

          (A)  Best practices, resources, and models for grade-appropriate instruction in critical thinking skills relating to the consumption and production of all media, digital citizenship, and internet safety; provided that the recommendations shall comply with federal E‑rate programs and the federal Children's Internet Protection Act;

          (B)  Guidelines for teaching students how to identify legitimate sources of information and sources that represent a range of positions or opinions;

          (C)  Strategies that will support the department of education in the implementation of the best practices identified in paragraph (1), including strategies for delivering professional development to educators and administrators;

          (D)  Any revisions, if necessary, to state education standards and any state instructional technology plan; and to policies and procedures on media literacy, including digital citizenship and internet safety; and

          (E)  Any other matters, including proposed legislation, deemed relevant by the advisory committee.

     (c)  The department of education shall develop a plan to establish and implement instruction in media literacy, in grades kindergarten through twelve in public schools, including charter schools and Hawaiian language immersion schools, taking into consideration the report submitted pursuant to subsection (b).

     (d)  Following the submission of the report submitted pursuant to subsection (b), the department of education shall annually submit to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, a report of its updated findings and recommendations, including the current status of implementing the media literacy curricula as described in subsection (b).

     (e)  For purposes of this section:

     "Digital citizenship" means knowledge and skills necessary for consumption of media, digital products, current technology, and social media, including appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior, as well as cyberbullying prevention.

     "Media literacy" means the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, develop, produce, and interpret media, including the thoughtful, safe, and strategic uses of online and other media resources.


     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Department of Education; Digital Citizenship; Media Literacy

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to convene an advisory committee to make recommendations on the best practices for purposes of developing and implementing a plan to teach digital citizenship and media literacy in grades kindergarten through twelve in public schools, including charter schools and Hawaiian language immersion schools.  Requires the Department of Education to develop the plan based on recommendations.  Requires updated annual reports to the Legislature.

 

 

 

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