Bill > HB1320

This bill requires the University of Hawaii System to collect, analyze, and publicly report comprehensive graduate outcome data to increase transparency in higher education. Specifically, the university must gather data on graduates' employment rates, median earnings, and continuing education status within one, three, and five years after graduation, using sources such as workforce agency records, graduate surveys, federal databases, and employer-reported information. The bill mandates the creation of a publicly accessible, user-friendly graduate outcomes dashboard that allows filtering by institution, degree level, field of study, and racial demographic, and includes interactive visualization tools and resources for prospective students. To support this initiative, the bill appropriates funds for two new full-time equivalent positions in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy focused on workforce outcomes and data visualization. The university will be required to submit annual reports to the legislature beginning in 2027, evaluating institutional performance and workforce alignment, with all reported data anonymized to protect individual privacy. The underlying purpose is to help students and families make informed educational decisions, ensure institutional accountability, and align higher education programs with the state's workforce development needs.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1320&year=2026