Urging The Department Of Education To Meet The Criteria Necessary To Officially Recognize Cheerleading As A Title Ix Sport In Hawaii.
Summary
HCR42 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Education to take the steps needed to officially recognize competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport in Hawaii. The resolution states that cheerleading has developed into a highly athletic, organized, and competitive activity and argues that recognizing it as a sport would better align school athletics with Title IX’s requirement for equal athletic opportunities for students regardless of sex.
The measure asks the Department of Education to develop guidelines, procedures, and safety standards so competitive cheer can be classified as an interscholastic sport consistent with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights’ Title IX sport definition. It also directs the department to work with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association on those standards and to transmit copies of the resolution to education officials and the HHSAA executive director.
Impact
Because HCR42 is a concurrent resolution rather than a statute, it does not directly amend Hawaii law or create enforceable legal requirements. Its practical effect is to encourage the Department of Education and the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to establish criteria, safety protocols, and administrative recognition for competitive cheerleading as a Title IX sport, which could affect school athletic programming, resource allocation, coaching, training, facilities, transportation, and safety oversight for cheer athletes.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill text and available vote history is supportive of recognizing competitive cheerleading as a legitimate interscholastic sport. The resolution frames the issue as one of athletic merit, student opportunity, and gender equity, and the Senate Education committee passed the measure with amendments by a 3-0 vote, indicating broad support among those voting.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely not whether cheerleading is valuable, but whether it meets the formal criteria for recognition as a Title IX sport and how standards should be defined and implemented. Potential concerns include safety, the need for standardized competition rules, and whether the activity should be treated as a varsity sport versus a support activity. The resolution addresses these concerns by emphasizing collaboration with the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and the development of guidelines and safety standards.
Requesting The Department Of Education And University Of Hawaii To Assess The Criteria Required To Establish An Educational Pipeline And Curriculum To Ensure That Students Acquire The Necessary Skills In Advanced Manufacturing And Cybersecurity.
Requesting The Department Of Education And University Of Hawaii To Assess The Criteria Required To Establish An Educational Pipeline And Curriculum To Ensure That Students Acquire The Necessary Skills In Advanced Manufacturing And Cybersecurity.
Urging The State Of Hawaii And City And County Of Honolulu To Collaborate In The Development Of A World-class, Comprehensive Sports Complex In West Oahu.
Encouraging The Kawaihuelani Center For Hawaiian Language Of The University Of Hawaii At Manoa To Further Provide Learning Resources And Opportunities That Promote Hawaiian Language And Culture.
Urging The Department Of Education And Hawaii Emergency Management Agency To Adopt A Curriculum For High School Students To Participate In The Youth Civil Defense Corps.
Urging The State Of Hawaii And City And County Of Honolulu To Collaborate In The Development Of A World-class, Comprehensive Sports Complex In West Oahu.