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Senate panel backs student-authored book pilot after sharp exchange with DOE
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Summary
The Senate advanced SB2877, a one-year pilot to publish fifth-graders' work in Kalihi schools and integrate it into curriculum. DOE said it 'supports the idea' but noted written testimony opposing the bill due to fiscal constraints; senators pressed DOE on apparent inconsistency and implementation plans.
The Senate Committee on Education voted to pass Senate Bill 2877 with amendments to integrate a student-authored book publication pilot into existing curriculum. The measure establishes a one-year pilot for fifth graders in Kalihi public elementary schools and requires a report and an appropriation.
Heidi Armstrong of the Department of Education testified that the department ‘‘appreciates the intent of this bill’’ and that it ‘‘supports bookmaking and book publishing,’’ but she also referenced written testimony from Superintendent Keith Hayashi stating the department cannot support the bill in its current form because of concurrent literacy investments and fiscal constraints. ‘‘We will continue to support writing portfolios, student choice in demonstrating their learning,’’ Armstrong said, adding DOE believes schools can undertake bookmaking without a new law and that schools should have professional discretion over timing and scope.
Several senators pushed back on DOE’s written opposition, noting that schools and teachers’ groups have supported the pilot and that existing school projects show the model is feasible. One senator pointed to school examples and estimated a per-book cost that made a pilot financially modest: the committee’s exchange put an illustrative total cost at roughly $30,000 to $60,000 for the pilot cohort, with members contrasting that cost to larger DOE expenditures. Armstrong reiterated DOE’s oral position that the department supports the project concept but is not requesting additional funding and will check with Kalihi schools about integration and capacity.
The committee amended SB2877 to require that the pilot be integrated into curriculum as a capstone-type project and recommended passage. Members said they expect participating schools to coordinate implementation and that the Department would work with interested schools to identify logistics and whether all students would participate.
Provenance: The bill was introduced for public hearing at SEG 1018 and the committee recorded its vote to pass with amendments at SEG 2396.
Speakers quoted in this article include Heidi Armstrong (Department of Education) and multiple senators who questioned the department.
