HB 1491: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to education.

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

     SECTION 1.  This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Education for Sustainability and Cultural Competency Act".

     SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that a comprehensive approach to embedding sustainability and cultural competency in the State's public education system and higher education institutions is needed to ensure that Hawaii's students and educators are aligned with the State's climate goals and sustainability principles.  Such an approach will align Hawaii's education system with the principles of aloha ʻaina, preparing students to engage with and address the challenges of climate change while fostering cultural competency through the inclusion of traditional Hawaiian ecological knowledge and values, and is a matter of statewide concern.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Integrate climate education, environmental sustainability, and indigenous knowledge into the K-12 curriculum to ensure that students are prepared to address Hawaii's unique ecological challenges and uphold cultural stewardship;

     (2)  Establish teacher training and professional development programs to support educators in teaching sustainability and indigenous knowledge effectively;

     (3)  Expand higher education programs to incorporate sustainability and cultural competency across all fields of study within the university of Hawaii system; and

     (4)  Create accountability measures and sustainability audits to ensure successful implementation of the curriculum and promote the adoption of sustainable practices in the State's public schools and the university of Hawaii system.

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding three new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Climate education and environmental sustainability; curricula plan; public schools.  (a)  The department shall develop and implement a statewide curricula plan for public school students in kindergarten through twelfth grade that integrates climate education and environmental sustainability as part of the curricula.

     (b)  The department shall include in the curricula plan required pursuant to this section:

     (1)  Hands-on learning opportunities, project-based learning, and place-based education, with a focus on the State's unique environmental and cultural context;

     (2)  Education regarding indigenous knowledge, particularly traditional Hawaiian ecological practices, which involves partnerships with local kupuna, cultural practitioners, and environmental organizations to provide students with direct, culturally grounded learning experiences; and

     (3)  Civic engagement opportunities focusing on climate change and sustainability issues through sustainability clubs, service projects, and partnerships with local organizations.

     §302A-     Climate education and environmental sustainability; teacher development programs.  (a)  The department shall enter into a contract or agreement with one or more entities to develop and implement climate education and environmental sustainability teacher development programs; provided that an entity shall be:

     (1)  An educational agency, including a charter educational agency, or a consortia of educational agencies in the State;

     (2)  An institution of higher education located in the State; or

     (3)  A nationally recognized provider of effective climate education and environmental sustainability professional development.

     (b)  An entity that intends to enter into a contract or agreement with the department pursuant to this section shall first submit a proposal to the department that, at minimum, shall address how the entity plans to:

     (1)  Instruct teachers with varying levels of knowledge and experience in climate education and environmental sustainability;

     (2)  Utilize effective practices for professional development;

     (3)  Instruct teachers how to effectively teach students in climate education and environmental sustainability;

     (4)  Adapt its instruction to accommodate the particular needs of teachers in different schools and complex areas; and

     (5)  Meet other requirements established by the department.

     §302A-     Sustainability audit; school campuses.  The department shall conduct annual sustainability audits across all department school campuses to assess the progress of each school campus in integrating sustainability into the campus's curriculum and operations, including energy use, waste management, and water conservation."

     SECTION 4.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding three new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§304A-     Climate education and environmental sustainability courses; general education requirement.  (a)  The university shall develop and implement a series of courses on climate education and environmental sustainability to be offered at each campus within the university system.  Completion of the coursework shall be required by every student, regardless of major, prior to graduation.

     (b)  The climate education and environmental sustainability courses shall include civic engagement opportunities focusing on climate change and sustainability issues through sustainability clubs, service projects, and partnerships with local organizations.

     §304A-     University of Hawaii; sustainability practices.  (a)  The university establish sustainability practices to be implemented across all campuses of the university system to promote sustainability and shall include:

     (1)  The creation of living laboratories where students of can study renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, and sustainable land use; and

     (2)  Internships and research opportunities focused on sustainability.

     §304A-     Sustainability audit; university campuses.  The university shall conduct annual sustainability audits across all campuses of the university system to assess the progress of each campus in integrating sustainability into the campus's courses and operations, including energy use, waste management, and water conservation."

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Education; Sustainability; Cultural Competency; Department of Education; University of Hawaii

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a climate education, environmental sustainability, and indigenous knowledge into the K-12 curriculum and climate education and environmental sustainability teacher training and professional development programs.  Requires the University of Hawaii to develop and implement a series of courses on climate education and environmental sustainability, to be completed by every student prior to the student's graduation, and establish sustainability practices across all university campuses to promote sustainability.  Requires the Department of Education and University of Hawaii to conduct annual sustainability audits across their respective campuses to assess the progress of each campus in integrating sustainability into their curriculum and operations.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.