Bill Text: HI HR82 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging The Department Of Education To Increase Family Engagement In Micronesian Communities.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 21-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-11 - Referred to LHE, FIN, referral sheet 40 [HR82 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HR82-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	82
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the department of education to increase family engagement in micronesian communities.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, upon arrival in Hawaii, Micronesian families lack orientation to English language, laws, and customs, and are unfamiliar with American academic culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to a 2015 report from Civil Beat, Micronesian students are four times more likely than Japanese students and twice as likely as Caucasian and Filipino students to be suspended; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to Activating Educators Focus on Family Engagement as Central to Teaching (AFFECT), a partnership between the University of Hawaii and Hawaii State Teachers Association, Micronesian parents are generally surprised when encountering the expectations of the American education system; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to the global strategic consultancy firm PASS, LLC, Micronesians make up the largest percentage of students designated as chronically absent in Hawaii's school system, with the rate of absenteeism increasing to thirty-three percent for the 2015-2016 school year; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to PASS, LLC, lack of parental engagement is a strong contributor to chronic absenteeism; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to an article published in the Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology by researchers at the University of Hawaii, language barriers adversely impact students and parents, making them feel inadequate in comparison to individuals who possess a higher level of English language proficiency; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to the National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education, students with engaged parents are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school; and

 

     WHEREAS, administrators, teachers, and school staff in Hawaii's public school system often lack knowledge about the Micronesian culture and do not have adequate resources to help Micronesian families; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to the University of Central Florida, schools often misunderstand parental behavior, resulting in an oversimplification of the complexities surrounding immigrant parental involvement in education systems built largely on European-American values, beliefs, and traditions; and

 

     WHEREAS, family engagement is a component of goal three of the Department of Education's strategic plan, which relates to successful systems of support and makes partnerships with families and communities a priority to strengthen parental bonds with schools and improve communication, engagement, and understanding with school stakeholders, including families; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that the Department of Education is urged to increase family engagement in Micronesian communities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to perform outreach to Micronesian families to help parents of Micronesian families understand Hawaii's education system and identify challenges to improving the educational performance of Micronesian children, including barriers to accessing wraparound services for Micronesian students; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to partner with the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning and AFFECT in developing programs that advance family engagement in Micronesian communities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Education, Superintendent of Education, Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, and team leaders for Activating Educators Focus on Family Engagement as Central to Teaching.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Education; Micronesian Families