HI HB580

Appropriates funds for the P4C (Philosophy for Children) program at the University of Hawaii's Uehiro Academy for Philosophy and Ethics in Education for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Education to allow teachers to train in the P4C program, which teaches critical thinking, conflict resolution, empathy, and social-emotional learning.

Authorizes the P4C program to help prevent bullying, cyberbullying, peer aggression, and violent behavior in Hawaii's public schools through philosophical inquiry and open-ended discussion.

Provides teacher training in complex problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and sound judgment and reasoning to be shared across schools and complexes.

Effective date is July 1, 2017.