HI HCR38

Urges the Board of Education and Department of Education to support and implement community schools as a strategy for increasing access to high-quality education in Hawaii.

Identifies community schools as providing comprehensive programs and services to address student and family needs including housing instability, inadequate medical and dental care, hunger, trauma, and violence exposure.

Establishes four key pillars of the community-schools approach: integrated student supports, expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities, active family engagement, and collaborative leadership.

Requests the Department of Education submit reports to the Legislature at least 20 days prior to the regular sessions of 2020 and 2021 detailing recommendations, proposed legislation, and implementation progress on community schools.

Notes that during the 2017-2018 school year, 48.8 percent of Hawaii public school students were economically challenged, with 87,576 students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch assistance.