HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	43
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the state public charter school commission TO convene a working group to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a high school diploma granting public charter school program for adult learners.

 

 

     WHEREAS, there exists a substantial proportion of adult residents without a high school diploma who desire to earn such qualifications; and

 

     WHEREAS, individuals with a high school diploma earn more on average than individuals with a General Educational Development transcript; and

 

     WHEREAS, the existing state high school enrollment age limit enacted by Act 163, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, prevents adult learners older than twenty years of age from enrolling in public high school programs; and

 

     WHEREAS, public charter schools are potentially capable of filling important educational niches absent in the state public school system model, including the operation of high school programs for adult learners between the ages of twenty and twenty-six; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 302D-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes the State Public Charter School Commission for the authorization of high-quality public charter schools throughout the State under the oversight of the Board of Education; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State Public Charter School Commission is the sole authorizer of public charter schools; and

 

     WHEREAS, at least two other state legislatures have enacted legislation creating adult high school diploma public charter school programs, including Arkansas and Texas; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is committed to improving the secondary learning opportunities of adult learners in the State of Hawaii who were previously unable to attain a high school diploma; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate concurring, that the State Public Charter School Commission is requested to form a working group to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a high school diploma granting public charter school program for adult learners; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group examine potential impacts to existing adult education programs, including the Department of Education's Community School for Adults; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group shall consist of, but not be limited to, interested legislators, the Superintendent of the Department of Education, a member of the Board of Education, a member of the State Public Charter School Commission, members of community non-profits who have experience working with adult learners, and other interested stakeholders; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members are requested to select a chair of the working group from among themselves; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Public Charter School Commission shall submit a report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be dissolved on June 30, 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education, Chairperson of the State Public Charter School Commission, and Executive Director of the State Public Charter School Commission.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

High School Diploma Program for Adult Learners; State Public Charter School Commission; Working Group