SB772 would amend Hawaii’s standards-based curriculum law to expressly allow school complexes to incorporate media literacy into K-12 curriculum where appropriate. The bill frames media literacy as part of informed digital citizenship and ties it to instruction that helps students recognize and respond to misinformation, disinformation, digital discrimination, and online hate speech.
The measure does not mandate a standalone media literacy course or require every school to adopt the content. Instead, it adds media literacy as an authorized component within existing standards-based curriculum planning, alongside the current requirements that curricula be aligned to state standards, implemented across appropriate classrooms, supported by professional development, and monitored through assessments. The bill takes effect upon approval.
Impact
SB772 would amend Section 302A-321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by adding a new provision allowing school complexes to include media literacy in standards-based curriculum. It would not substantially alter the existing framework for curriculum development, but it would broaden the list of permissible instructional content and give schools explicit statutory authority to teach digital citizenship-related topics. The practical effect would be on public schools, school complexes, curriculum planners, and educators who may choose to integrate lessons on online information evaluation, misinformation, digital discrimination, and hate speech into language arts, social studies, or other appropriate subjects.
Sentiment
The bill appears generally supportive and preventive in tone, with its findings emphasizing the importance of education, democracy, and protection against harmful online content. The absence of recorded committee testimony or votes suggests there is no documented opposition or support in the provided materials, but the bill’s framing indicates an intent to encourage rather than compel school-level adoption. Overall, the measure is presented as a positive educational initiative aimed at strengthening student awareness and civic resilience in the digital environment.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the bill’s focus on misinformation, disinformation, digital discrimination, and online hate speech, which can raise concerns about how such concepts are defined, who decides what content qualifies, and whether the curriculum could be seen as politically sensitive or overly broad. Another possible issue is local control: because the bill authorizes school complexes to incorporate media literacy “as appropriate” rather than requiring it, supporters may view it as flexible, while critics could argue it is too discretionary to ensure consistent implementation. No specific objections or amendments are reflected in the provided transcripts or voting history.