H.R. 27 Summary

• Requests the Board of Education adopt a policy relating to community schools to guide expansion of these programs throughout Hawaii

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

• Notes that community schools provide comprehensive programs addressing student barriers including housing instability, inadequate healthcare, food insecurity, trauma, and violence exposure

• Urges the Department of Education to use the adopted policy to expand community schools programs to additional campuses, particularly in remote, rural, and economically disadvantaged areas

• Recognizes research showing community school interventions improve student attendance, academic achievement, and graduation rates