THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	184
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the Department of Education to develop a STANDARdized BELL schedule framework for department schools.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State has established minimum instructional hour requirements to ensure that all public school students receive adequate and equitable educations; and

 

     WHEREAS, school start and end times, however, vary widely across public schools and complex areas, creating challenges for families with children at multiple grade levels, complicating transportation planning, and limiting opportunities for coordination with community programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities; and

 

     WHEREAS, the absence of standardized bell schedules also produces operational inefficiencies for the Department of Education, particularly with respect to school bus routing, staffing, professional development planning, and shared services across schools or complex areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, establishing a standardized bell schedule framework by school level while preserving local flexibility within instructional hour requirements would promote greater predictability, equity, and efficiency across the public education system; and

 

     WHEREAS, a consistent scheduling structure may also support student well-being by aligning instructional hours with age-appropriate learning needs and facilitating collaboration among educators across schools and complex areas; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Education is requested to develop a standardized bell schedule framework for department schools; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the standardized bell schedule framework is requested to:

 

     (1)  Comply with all state and federal instructional hours requirements; and

 

     (2)  Be organized by school level, including:

 

          (A)  Elementary schools;

 

          (B)  Middle or intermediate schools; and

 

          (C)  High schools; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to consult with school administrators, teachers, collective bargaining representatives, parents, students, and transportation providers in the development of the standardized bell schedule framework; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Superintendent of Education and Chairperson of the Board of Education.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

DOE; Common Bell Schedule; Department Schools; Instructional Minutes