S.C.R. 167 Summary

• Urges the Department of Education to establish a vocational education out-of-school program for public and charter school students in grades 9-12 to be conducted during after-school hours, weekends, and inter-sessions.

• Cites research showing out-of-school programs inspire learning, support social and emotional growth, and raise academic achievement.

• Identifies Hawaii as the ninth least affordable state for child care costs and notes that 17% of Hawaii K-12 youth are responsible for their own after-school care.

• Highlights a significant job skills gap in Hawaii's workforce, particularly in computer science, coding, engineering, and foreign language fields that vocational programs could address.

• Directs certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.