S.B. 827 Summary

• Exempts kindergarten students enrolled in Hawaiian language immersion programs from the statewide kindergarten entry assessment requirement mandated by Act 46 (2020).

• Requires parents enrolling kindergarteners to disclose the primary language medium of education and any additional languages taught at the child's previous early learning program.

• Exempts charter schools with Hawaiian language immersion programs from administering the kindergarten entry assessment to students "predominantly taught in the Hawaiian language."

• Exempts laboratory school programs of the Hawaiian language college from early learning program requirements in charter schools, with the college required to work annually with the commission to collect and share data on language and academic outcomes.

• Removes the July 1, 2026 expiration date for exemptions granted to Hawaiian language college laboratory school programs from statewide assessment, standards, and staff qualification requirements; exempts Hawaiian-medium preschool providers from accreditation requirements under the Preschool Open Doors program.