Bill

SCR 234

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM THAT SHORTENS SCHOOL HOURS ON FRIDAYS FOR ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ONE MIDDLE OR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL, AND ONE HIGH SCHOOL TO ALLOW STUDENTS MORE TIME TO WORK ON HOMEWORK.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kurt Fevella

Pilot a three-year program shortening Friday hours at one elementary, one middle, and one high school to give students more time for homework and well-being.

Referred to EDU.

#departmentofeducation #pilotprogram #report #shorterschoolhoursonfriday

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Bill Summary · SCR 234

SCR 234 — Summary

Overview

SCR 234 is a concurrent resolution in the Hawaii Senate (Thirty-third Legislature) requesting the Department of Education (DOE) to implement a three-year pilot program that shortens Friday school hours for one elementary school, one middle/intermediate school, and one high school. Introduced March 7, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Education (EDU) on March 12, 2025. The bill is sponsored by FEVELLA (primary). A companion bill is SR 210.

Purpose and intent

To address rising student workload and associated stress by providing students with more time outside of regular school hours to complete homework, participate in activities, and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
To evaluate, in a controlled setting across grade levels, whether shorter Friday hours can improve academic performance, time management, and overall well-being.

What the bill would do

Require the DOE to implement a three-year pilot program shortening Friday hours at:
- One elementary school
- One middle or intermediate school
- One high school
The goal is to give students additional time on Fridays to work on homework.

Key provisions

Annual reporting: DOE must submit progress and outcome reports to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Sessions in 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.
Report content: Data on student academic performance, feedback from teachers and parents, and recommendations on whether the pilot should be made permanent, implemented statewide, or terminated.
Formal transmission: Certified copies of the resolution must be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Education.

Who is affected

Students at the selected schools across elementary, middle/intermediate, and high school levels.
Teachers, parents, school administrators, and district officials involved in scheduling and program evaluation.
Hawaii’s Legislature, which will receive the annual evaluation reports.

Procedural and timeline notes

Status: Referred to EDU (March 12, 2025).
Nature: Concurrent resolution urging DOE action (not an appropriation or mandate).
Pilot duration: Three years.
Reporting cadence: Four annual reports in advance of the 2027–2030 Regular Sessions.