Hawaii Senate Bill SR188

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/19/26
• Report Pass: 4/8/26
• Passed: 4/9/26

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Education To Implement The National Education Association Micro-credential Pilot Program Developed In Collaboration With The Department's Office Of Curriculum And Instructional Design And The Hawaii State Teachers Association.

Summary

SR188 is a Senate resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Education to implement the National Education Association Micro-Credential Pilot Program in collaboration with the DOE’s Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design and the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA). The resolution frames the program as a professional development opportunity for licensed teachers in public and charter schools statewide, emphasizing competency-based learning, educator growth, and improved student outcomes. It also asks DOE to make the program available on its professional development website so teachers can easily find and access the micro-credential offerings. The resolution further requests that teachers who complete the coursework receive applicable professional development credit under DOE policies and that HSTA assist with outreach, participation, verification of coursework, professional development credits, and grading. It also requires DOE to report back to the Legislature before the 2027 Regular Session on participation, educator feedback, outcomes, and whether the pilot should be expanded or continued statewide. The program is described as free for NEA or HSTA members and $75 for non-members, which the resolution presents as a way to reduce financial barriers to professional learning.

Impact

Because SR188 is a resolution rather than a statute, it does not directly change state law or create binding legal obligations. Instead, it expresses the Senate’s request that DOE implement and publicize the micro-credential pilot, recognize completed coursework for professional development credit where allowed by department policy, and coordinate with HSTA on administration and outreach. If carried out, the resolution could affect teacher professional development practices, DOE website content, and the way professional learning credits are awarded to participating educators in public and charter schools.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests broad support for the measure: the Senate Education Committee passed SR188 unanimously, 4-0, and there is no recorded opposition in the provided materials. The resolution’s findings and structure reflect a generally positive sentiment toward teacher professional development, collaboration with HSTA, and expanding access to no-cost or low-cost training opportunities. Overall, the discussion context indicates the bill was viewed favorably as a practical professional learning initiative rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

No major points of contention are reflected in the provided transcripts or vote record. The main policy considerations embedded in the resolution are administrative rather than ideological: whether DOE should implement the pilot, how professional development credit should be granted, and how HSTA and DOE should divide responsibilities for outreach, verification, and grading. The only potentially sensitive issue apparent from the text is the distinction between free access for union members and a fee for non-members, but no opposition to that structure is shown in the available record.