Bill > SR115

This Resolution requests the Department of Education to create a new social studies course for high school students focused on Filipino history, culture, and identity, aiming to address the underrepresentation of Filipinos in Hawaii's education system and combat anti-Asian hate crimes by fostering greater understanding and pride. The resolution also calls for the development of Filipino content to be integrated into existing curriculum standards, including language arts, math, science, and arts, and for the recruitment and support of Filipino teachers to teach this new course. The context for this request stems from the significant Filipino population in Hawaii, the largest ethnic group among public school students, and the documented positive impact of representation and culturally relevant education on student engagement and academic performance.