HI SCR161

Requests the Board of Education and Department of Education to establish a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence Working Group to develop a framework recognizing students who complete advanced climate science, sustainability, and community resilience coursework and experiential learning.

Working group would consist of 11 members including the BOE Chairperson, Superintendent of Education, secondary school teachers, DOE curriculum specialists, a University of Hawaii climate expert, and two public high school students from different islands.

Recommendations to include proposed course sequences aligned with climate science standards, experiential learning requirements tied to community resilience, criteria for earning the seal, and professional development needs for educators.

Framework must align with graduation requirements, career and technical education pathways, and civic education initiatives, with a phased implementation timeline and resource considerations.

Department of Education to submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation or budgetary requirements, to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the Regular Session of 2027.