SCR 112: Requesting the University of Hawaii SYSTEM, in collaboration with the Department of education and other institutions of higher education, to require completion of comprehensive coursework in reading, language, and literacy as a condition for graduation from any state-approved educator preparation program leading to teacher licensure.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the University of Hawaii SYSTEM, in collaboration with the Department of education and other institutions of higher education, to require completion of comprehensive coursework in reading, language, and literacy as a condition for graduation from any state-approved educator preparation program leading to teacher licensure.

     WHEREAS, literacy is a foundational skill essential to academic success, workforce readiness, and civic participation; and

     WHEREAS, reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a critical benchmark that strongly predicts future educational outcomes; and

     WHEREAS, recognizing its importance, the Department of Education has identified literacy achievement as a priority area for student success; and

     WHEREAS, preservice teacher preparation in learning to teach students how to read is the beginning of a teacher's lifelong professional growth; and

     WHEREAS, ensuring that all teacher candidates are equipped with research- and evidence-based reading instruction practices is essential to improving student literacy outcomes across the State; and

     WHEREAS, evidence-based research on how students learn to read and how reading should be effectively taught encompasses decades of interdisciplinary study in cognitive science, neuroscience, and education; and

     WHEREAS, the complex process of achieving literacy emphasizes explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; and

     WHEREAS, despite its efficacy, many teacher preparation programs nationwide have not consistently required comprehensive literacy coursework, resulting in gaps in instructional effectiveness; and

     WHEREAS, aligning teacher preparation requirements with research-based instructional methods will strengthen educator readiness and student achievement statewide; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System, in collaboration with the Department of Education and other institutions of higher education, is requested to require all candidates enrolled in state-approved educator preparation programs leading to teacher licensure to successfully complete comprehensive coursework in reading, language, and literacy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the reading, language, and literacy coursework requirement is requested to include instruction in:

     (1)  Research- and evidence-based reading development and instruction;

     (2)  Structured literacy practices, including phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension;

     (3)  Assessment and identification of reading difficulties, including characteristics of dyslexia; and

     (4)  Intervention strategies to support struggling readers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that completion of the comprehensive reading, language, and literacy coursework is requested to be a mandatory condition for graduation from any state-approved teacher education program and for recommendation for teacher licensure in the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the relevant state-approved teacher education programs are requested to implement this requirement no later than the 2028-2029 school year; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, President of the University of Hawaii System, Chairperson of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, Dean of the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and chief executive officer of each state-approved teacher education program.

Report Title: 

UH; DOE; Literacy; Educator Preparation Programs; Teacher Licensure

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the University of Hawaii SYSTEM, in collaboration with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board and other institutions of higher education, to require completion of comprehensive coursework in the science of reading as a condition for graduation from any state-approved educator preparation program leading to teacher licensure.

     WHEREAS, literacy is a foundational skill essential to academic success, workforce readiness, and civic participation; and

     WHEREAS, reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a critical benchmark that strongly predicts future educational outcomes; and

     WHEREAS, recognizing its importance, the Department of Education has identified literacy achievement as a priority area for student success; and

     WHEREAS, because not all new teachers have received sufficient training in literacy instruction, the Department of Education has indicated that it will conduct statewide professional development in the science of reading, which will require time, funding, and the hiring of consultants; and

     WHEREAS, ensuring that all teacher candidates are equipped with evidence-based reading instruction practices is essential to improving student literacy outcomes across the State; and

     WHEREAS, evidence-based research on how students learn to read and how reading should be effectively taught, commonly referred to as the "science of reading", encompasses decades of interdisciplinary study in cognitive science, neuroscience, and education; and

     WHEREAS, the science of reading emphasizes explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; and

     WHEREAS, despite its efficacy, many teacher preparation programs nationwide have not consistently required comprehensive coursework aligned with the science of reading, resulting in gaps in instructional effectiveness; and

     WHEREAS, aligning teacher preparation requirements with scientifically-supported instructional methods will strengthen educator readiness and student achievement statewide; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System, in collaboration with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board and other institutions of higher education, is requested to require all candidates enrolled in state-approved educator preparation programs leading to teacher licensure to successfully complete at least one comprehensive course in the science of reading; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the science of reading course requirement is requested to include instruction in:

     (1)  Evidence-based reading development and instruction;

     (2)  Structured literacy practices, including phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension;

     (3)  Assessment and identification of reading difficulties, including characteristics of dyslexia; and

     (4)  Intervention strategies to support struggling readers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that completion of the comprehensive science of reading course is requested to be a mandatory condition for graduation from any state-approved teacher education program and for recommendation for teacher licensure in the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the relevant state-approved teacher education programs are requested to implement this requirement no later than the 2028-2029 school year; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board is requested to align licensure standards and program approval criteria with the comprehensive science of reading course requirement; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Executive Director of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and chief executive officer of each state-approved teacher education program.

Report Title: 

UH; HTSB; Science of Reading; Educator Preparation Programs; Teacher Licensure

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the Department of Education to unify the McKinley Community School for Adults and Waipahu Community School for Adults into a single STATEWIDE Adult education program to be known as the Hawaii State Community School for Adults.

     WHEREAS, adult education programs play a vital role in providing workforce development opportunities, high school equivalency preparation, English proficiency courses, and lifelong learning opportunities for residents across the State; and

     WHEREAS, section 302A-432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes the Department of Education to establish and regulate a program of adult community education to provide increased opportunity for the people of Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, section 302A-433.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes within the Department of Education an adult workforce readiness program to provide opportunities for students to earn associate degrees, workforce development diplomas, pre-apprenticeship certificates, and other industry‑recognized credentials; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Education has reviewed enrollment trends, program alignment, and opportunities to enhance operational efficiency across adult education programs; and

     WHEREAS, the Department's review identified opportunities to strengthen instructional programs, streamline administrative operations, and maximize resources to better serve adult learners and the broader community; and

     WHEREAS, the recommended realignment of the McKinley Community School for Adults and Waipahu Community School for Adults into a unified statewide program will support improved coordination of services and greater consistency in program delivery; and

     WHEREAS, the unified program will provide a statewide adult education system that will maintain access to services while expanding high-quality programming across all campuses; and

     WHEREAS, the realignment will enhance efficiency, strengthen instructional programs, and better position adult education programming, including programming supported through the adult workforce readiness program, like Career Foundations, established pursuant to section 302A-433.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the Career Foundations Curriculum to address current and emerging workforce and community needs; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Education is requested to unify the McKinley Community School for Adults and Waipahu Community School for Adults into a single statewide program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the program is requested to be known as the Hawaii State Community School for Adults; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is urged to consult with the appropriate exclusive representatives of affected collective bargaining units regarding any personnel impacts associated with the proposed realignment, and to provide opportunities for affected employees to provide feedback through their respective exclusive representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the implementation of the unified program should be contingent upon the completion of the consultation process and the development of a comprehensive transition plan to ensure minimal disruption to students, faculty, and staff; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the unified program is requested to have a target effective date of July 1, 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, and respective administrators of the McKinley Community School for Adults and Waipahu Community School for Adults.

Report Title: 

DOE; McKinley Community School for Adults; Waipahu Community School for Adults; Unification; Realignment; Hawaii Community School for Adults