H.R. 40 Summary

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

• Notes that during the 2017-2018 school year, 48.8 percent of public school students were economically challenged and 87,576 students qualified for free and reduced-price lunch programs.

• Directs the Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislature at least 20 days prior to the regular sessions of 2020 and 2021 with recommendations, proposed legislation, and implementation progress on community schools.

• Community schools address out-of-school barriers such as unstable housing, inadequate medical and dental care, hunger, trauma, and violence exposure; research shows they improve attendance, academic achievement, and graduation rates.