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CLOSING THE DIGITAL GAP FOR
HAWAII'S PUBLIC-SCHOOL STUDENTS
Bringing more computers into
classrooms takes a megabyte
out of school budgetsBy Suzanne Tswei
Business as usual at Leilehua
Star-BulletinKILOHANA Elementary School may be located in a rural community, but students at the Molokai school are not lacking in computers. There are 75 computers for 123 students, for an average of 1.6 students for every computer.
At Kalaheo High School, located in an urban and largely middle-class community on Windward Oahu, 1,115 students have 65 computers. That means 17 students for every computer.
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Two schools. Two ends of the spectrum in the state Department of Education's goal to provide one computer for every six students.
Divide the number of students by the number of computers in the public schools, and the state has reached a 6-1 ratio. Education Week reported Hawaii's ratio as 6.7 students per instructional computer, compared to the national average of 5.7 students per computer in the 1998-99 school year.
Look at the schools individually, and a different picture emerges.
The digital gap is a reality for many of Hawaii's schools that end up with double-digit student-per-computer ratios. The figures are from a 1999 survey conducted by the state Education Department. The department does not have a true count of the number of computers available to students because the schools count total computers, including those used by teachers and administrators.
The worst student-per-computer ratio is on Niihau, where 45 students in the island's only school must share one computer. Niihau School has five computers, but the school's solar panels can generate only enough electricity to power up one computer at a time.
Excluding Niihau School, which is not comparable to other public schools because of its remote location on a privately owned island, Kalaheo High School has the worst ratio, 17-to-1.
At the top end, Jefferson Orthopedic, Pohukaina and Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind have the best ratios, but their small student populations and the special needs of their students keep them from being comparable to other schools. Kilohana has the next-best ratio, at 1.6-to-1.
The disparity among the schools is reflected in a national report published last month by Newsweek magazine and Score!, an education company. Hawaii is listed among the 10 worst states in student access to computers. Only 31.9 percent of Hawaii's schools are at or better than the national average of 5.7 students per computer, the report said.Diana Oshiro, technology administrator for Hawaii public schools, said the disparity is because of a number of factors, including funding and the individual school's emphasis on technology. The department does not dictate how many computers each school must have.
"It depends on the size of the school, how they plan their technology plan, how they set their priorities, and a number of other things. If the school decides computers are important then they figure out some creative ways to find money to pursue more technology," Oshiro said.
Older schools can't catch up
The department gives the schools money earmarked for technology, which includes the purchase of new hardware or software, maintenance or other technology-related expenses.Last year, the department budgeted $1.8 million for technology, with each school receiving about $9 per student.
The schools also are free to allocate funds from their operating budgets for computers, depending on other needs.
The problem is that state funding isn't enough for the schools to keep up with fast-changing technology. Older schools that must first upgrade the infrastructure to supply enough electrical power for computers are at a particular disadvantage. The better student-per-computer ratios tend to belong to newer schools with computers figured into the school design and schools that are able to find funding from outside sources, Oshiro said.
Stephen Petro, Kilohana's principal, said federal grants are crucial to the school's healthy computer numbers. The school's success is partly due to grants favoring rural schools and partly due to knowing how to structure grant applications to cover a broader base.
"We design our lab for extended learning opportunities for not only our students, but also for other people in the community who can come to use it after school hours, like high school students, adult education students," Petro said.
But finding enough money to maintain computers and upgrade to current technology is a challenge."There simply isn't enough money," said Carol Petersen, principal of Mililani Mauka Elementary School, which has a 3.6 students-per-computer ratio. Other necessities, such as textbooks and meeting safety requirements for playground equipment, must take top priority.
And the high cost of maintaining the computers alone demands a good portion of the school's limited funds, she said.
Although Mililani Mauka was built as a showcase technology school with five computers in each classroom, Petersen said finding enough money to keep pace with technology, increases in enrollment and other needs has been impossible.
"What we find is that our computers were up-to-date back when the school was built seven years ago, but they are not up-to-date now. But to replace our old computers that are no longer up-to-date, we also have to get new software for the new computers because the old computers won't work with the new software. It's a vicious cycle," Petersen said.
Mililani Mauka would be worse off if it weren't for donations from parents, businesses and the military to boost the school's computer budget, Petersen said.
Not a panacea for learning
Similar budgeting difficulties also are reasons for Kalaheo's high student-per-computer ratio, said Principal James Schlosser. "What it comes down to is what does the Legislature want? If they think computers are important, then they should give us the funding. Then we can have a plan for technology," he said.Kalaheo has applied for and received federal grants to supplement state funds, but the school's middle-class demographics disqualify it from many federal grants marked for schools in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, Schlosser said.
The lack of numerous computers has not been a problem at his Windward school, partly because a good number of the students have computers at home, Schlosser said. Besides, the student-to-computer ratio is not the be-all and end-all to education, he said.
"I think that the basic issues of literacy, citizenship, computation and clear thinking do not rest on the number of computers you have in the school. A student can receive quality education without a great deal of computers," Schlosser said.
Meg Barth Gammon, Kalaheo's Parent Community Networking Coordinator, said she is not aware of any lack of computers at the school or any complaints from students or parents.
"I think it's more important my daughter has a computer at home," Gammon said.
It’s business as
By Suzanne Tswei
usual at Leilehua
Star-BulletinWHEN 10th-grader Timothy Daily goes to his graphic design class, he has to punch the clock. He also must be neatly dressed -- in a gray shirt that identifies him as a member of Leilehua High School's Communications Technology Academy.
Those are the rules for the academy that offers hands-on training with state-of-the-art computers and other equipment to prepare students for the job market.
"I am not just a student; I am an employee. Actually, I like it. I get to work with some of the things only professionals get to do," said Daily, who is considering a career in graphic design.
"I have to behave like a professional, like how it is at a real business. I have to show up on time, get my work done, and be courteous to customers," he said.
Since its opening in July 1996, the academy's quality business cards, labels and other products have earned a steady supply of jobs from off campus.
"We have been so successful with the program that we never had to advertise. People just hear about us and bring their work in to us because they know we can turn out professional-quality work," said Cynthia Elia, a vocational education teacher who helped set up the academy.
The students are receiving $75 to $100 worth of work orders every week, Elia said. Next semester Leilehua's new multimedia and television production program will begin catering to paying customers too.
Soon the school also will be getting computerized embroidery equipment and computer keyboards designed for Japanese language lessons.These high-tech programs are examples of how a school can enrich learning with computers -- and finance the costly technology without depending on state tax dollars. The programs are the results of good planning, Elia said.
"Schools have the tendency just to buy computers, they don't have a plan. You need to have teachers make it their mission to learn about computers and identify the school's strategy before you start spending money," Elia said.
Through the support of Principal Norman Minehara, teachers are allowed time to brainstorm and come up with plans to improve the school's technology, she said. The plans involve not only identifying the type of computer programs but also locating funding sources.
"We can't depend on the state to give us the money we need to do what we'd like to do. We looked for ways to partner with the community, the military. We've gotten a lot of computers that way," Elia said.
The donated computers are suitable for word processing and other tasks, but the vocational training programs required expensive equipment.
"We knew we had to get the best, or the best as we can get, to give the students realistic experience. We had to get equipment that is up to date, the ones the professionals out there are using," Elia said.
Through federal grants, the school was able to pay for equipment, maintenance and experts in the classroom. But getting the grants is "an arduous process" that requires long hours of research and writing, Elia said.
"A number of schools will ignore this process because it takes a lot of time. You really need a person at the school to do that, you really need the support of the principal to do that," Elia said.
A look at Hawaii's schools, from worst to best, as ranked by the number of students per computer for 1999. The national average in 1998-99 was 5.7 students per computer: Students per computer
* These schools did not have up-to-date figures reported by the Department of Education. The figures were supplied recently by the schools and aren't included in the statewide or any other totals.
** These are computers available to students, teachers and administrators.
School Enrollment Computers ** Students per
ComputerKalaheo High 1,115 65 17.1 Wheeler Intermediate 719 44 16.3 Honowai Elementary 850 53 16.0 Lahainaluna High 889 60 14.8 Scott Elementary 687 52 13.2 Iao Intermediate 852 65 13.1 Waipahu Elementary 1,018 80 12.7 Nanakuli Elementary 697 55 12.6 Aiea Intermediate 664 53 12.5 Keaau Middle 623 50 12.4 Kainalu Elementary 558 45 12.4 Waimea High 878 71 12.3 Makakilo Elementary 605 50 12.1 Waianae Elementary 772 65 11.8 Lahaina Intermediate 641 56 11.4 Kaiser High 1,140 100 11.4 Hahaione Elementary 542 49 11.0 Leihoku Elementary 828 75 11.0 Waiakea Intermediate 969 90 10.7 Mokapu Elementary 986 93 10.6 Kapiolani Elementary 575 55 10.4 Jefferson Elementary 532 51 10.4 Kipapa Elementary 742 72 10.3 Roosevelt High 1,512 149 10.1 Mokulele Elementary 603 60 10.0 Niihau* 50 5 10.0 Highlands Intermediate 1,095 110 9.9 Pauoa Elementary 492 50 9.8 Pearl City High 2,108 216 9.7 Kahului Elementary 888 91 9.7 Waianae Intermediate 1,068 110 9.7 Keonepoko Elementary 717 74 9.6 Kailua High 1,091 114 9.5 Nahienaena Elementary 660 69 9.5 Laie Elementary 717 75 9.5 Liholiho Elementary 400 42 9.5 Kapolei Elementary 952 100 9.5 Kalaheo Elementary 616 65 9.4 Aliamanu Elementary 811 86 9.4 Kohala Elementary 442 47 9.4 Red Hill Elementary 559 60 9.3 Kaleiopuu Elementary 1,013 109 9.2 Mililani Waena Elem. 816 88 9.2 Maemae Elementary 767 85 9.0 Ewa Beach Elementary 527 59 8.9 Aliamanu Intermediate 875 98 8.9 Kaaawa Elementary 169 19 8.8 Koloa Elementary 310 35 8.8 Campbell High 2,318 265 8.7 Waiakea High 2,180 250 8.7 August Ahrens Elem. 1,309 154 8.5 Hauula Elementary* 385 45 8.5 Kaimiloa Elementary 790 94 8.4 Webling Elementary 504 60 8.4 Haiku Elementary 436 52 8.3 Kaahumanu Elementary 775 94 8.2 Waikiki Elementary 338 41 8.2 Hilo Union Elementary 639 78 8.1 Hickam Elementary 808 100 8.0 Kaneohe Elementary 597 74 8.0 Makaha Elementary 692 86 8.0 Kula Elementary 466 58 8.0 Lincoln Elementary 522 65 8.0 King Intermediate 994 124 8.0 Makawao Elementary 624 78 8.0 Ewa Elementary 739 93 7.9 Mililani High 1,993 251 7.9 Waiakeawaena Elem. 823 104 7.9 Wailuku Elementary 911 116 7.8 Puohala Elementary 469 60 7.8 Kapaa High 1,216 156 7.7 Waiau Elementary 678 87 7.7 Leilehua High 1,825 236 7.7 Castle High 1,931 250 7.7 Waialua High & Inter. 772 100 7.7 Iliahi Elementary 553 72 7.6 Kihei Elementary 768 100 7.6 Waihee Elementary 882 115 7.6 Kapunahala Elementary 612 80 7.6 Kawananakoa Middle 836 110 7.6 Mauka Lani Elementary 653 86 7.5 Hale Kula Elementary 674 89 7.5 Kealakehe Elementary 908 120 7.5 Haleiwa Elementary 348 46 7.5 Pukalani Elementary 493 66 7.4 Baldwin High 1,693 227 7.4 Kahuku High & Inter.* 1,906 255 7.4 Kaimuki Middle 707 95 7.4 Pohakea Elementary 555 75 7.4 Kekaha Elementary 310 42 7.3 Waipahu High 2,358 320 7.3 Kauai High & Inter. 1,797 244 7.3 Lehua Elementary 368 50 7.3 Washington Middle 881 120 7.3 Kalani High 1,174 160 7.3 Lihikai Elementary 1,053 145 7.2 Kailua Intermediate 900 125 7.2 Manoa Elementary 608 85 7.1 Kuhio Elementary 354 50 7.0 Kalama Intermediate 1,120 160 7.0 Pearl Ridge Elementary 616 88 7.0 Pearl City Highlands Elem. 433 62 6.9 Parker Elementary 554 80 6.9 Kamaile Elementary 758 110 6.8 Anuenue 339 50 6.7 Holualoa Elementary 422 63 6.6 Waimea Elem. & Inter. 1,205 180 6.6 Eleele Elementary 553 83 6.6 Hokulani Elementary 427 66 6.4 Palisades Elementary 420 65 6.4 Maui Waena Inter. 935 145 6.4 Kaiulani Elementary 470 73 6.4 Wilcox Elementary 1,028 160 6.4 Waimea Canyon 655 102 6.4 Ala Wai Elementary 584 91 6.4 Pahoa Elementary 607 95 6.3 Aliiolani Elementary 319 50 6.3 Kalakaua Middle 953 150 6.3 Farrington High 2,538 400 6.3 Kaumana Elementary 310 49 6.3 Moanalua High 1,883 300 6.2 Kahuku Elementary 577 92 6.2 Wilson Elementary 598 96 6.2 Iroquois Point Elem. 843 136 6.1 Wheeler Elementary 766 125 6.1 Hilo High 1,812 296 6.1 Wahiawa Intermediate 972 160 6.0 Heeia Elementary 727 120 6.0 Royal Elementary 447 74 6.0 Central Middle 473 79 5.9 Kamiloiki Elementary 499 84 5.9 Konawaena High 1,187 200 5.9 Stevenson Middle 557 94 5.9 Niu Valley Middle 509 86 5.9 Lokelani Intermediate 678 115 5.8 Pearl Harbor Elementary 621 106 5.8 Momilani Elementary 404 69 5.8 Keaukaha Elementary 535 92 5.8 Maui High 1,709 295 5.7 Moanalua Elementary 737 128 5.7 Kaimuki High 1,432 250 5.7 Kapaa Elementary 1,120 196 5.7 Kealakehe Intermediate 930 163 5.7 Waiakea Elementary 798 140 5.7 Kamehameha III Elem. 630 111 5.6 Kaelepulu Elementary 170 30 5.6 Waianae High 2,111 373 5.6 Salt Lake Elementary 846 150 5.6 Hilo Intermediate 690 123 5.6 Kahala Elementary 610 109 5.5 Waimanalo Elem. & Inter. 649 116 5.5 Lunalilo Elementary 640 115 5.5 Ahuimanu Elementary 562 101 5.5 Kaunakakai Elementary 303 55 5.5 Konawaena Middle 231 42 5.5 Sunset Beach Elementary 328 60 5.4 Kahakai Elementary 709 130 5.4 Pearl City Elementary 567 104 5.4 Haaheo Elementary 169 31 5.4 Ilima Intermediate 930 171 5.4 Noelani Elementary 520 96 5.4 Moanalua Middle 870 162 5.3 Kalihi-kai Elementary 886 165 5.3 Kekaulike High 1,396 260 5.3 Kahaluu Elementary 267 50 5.3 Kapalama Elementary 798 150 5.3 Likelike Elementary 478 90 5.3 Palolo Elementary 317 60 5.2 DeSilva Elementary 396 75 5.2 Solomon Elementary 791 150 5.2 Wahiawa Elementary 580 110 5.2 Shafter Elementary 336 64 5.2 Nanakuli High & Inter. 1,311 250 5.2 Mountain View Elem. 733 142 5.1 Aikahi Elementary 650 126 5.1 Hana High & Elementary 411 80 5.1 Mililani Uka Elementary 1,014 200 5.0 Kanoelani Elementary 835 165 5.0 Kohala High & Inter. 556 110 5.0 Kaala Elementary 529 105 5.0 Nimitz Elementary 750 150 5.0 Kailua Elementary 540 108 5.0 Waipahu Intermediate 1,173 236 4.9 Barbers Point Elem. 312 63 4.9 Enchanted Lake Elem. 493 100 4.9 Aiea High 1,377 280 4.9 Radford High 1,320 270 4.8 Liliuokalani Elementary 151 31 4.8 Kaewai Elementary 388 80 4.8 Pope Elementary 279 58 4.8 Kau High & Pahala Elem. 565 120 4.7 Kaumualii Elementary 847 180 4.7 Pahoa High & Inter. 1,011 215 4.7 Pearl Harbor Kai Elem. 597 128 4.6 Kalanianaole Elem. & Inter. 469 101 4.6 Honokaa High & Inter. 855 187 4.5 Lanikai Elementary 318 70 4.5 Kauluwela Elementary 539 119 4.5 Manana Elementary 502 111 4.5 Molokai High & Inter. 812 180 4.5 Aiea Elementary 405 90 4.5 Maili Elementary 871 195 4.4 Makalapa Elementary 668 150 4.4 Nuuanu Elementary 414 94 4.4 Nanaikapono Elementary 972 222 4.3 Dole Middle 802 185 4.3 Koko Head Elementary 344 80 4.3 Kilauea Elementary 311 74 4.2 Lanakila Elementary 381 91 4.1 Maunawili Elementary 426 103 4.1 Helemano Elementary 645 157 4.1 Puuhale Elementary 328 80 4.1 Wailupe Valley Elem. 201 50 4.0 Keolu Elementary 270 68 3.9 Waialae Elementary 472 121 3.9 Keaau Elementary 821 215 3.8 Kalihi-waena Elementary 595 159 3.7 Linapuni Elementary 224 60 3.7 Aina Haina Elementary 390 107 3.6 McKinley High 2,002 550 3.6 Fern Elementary 590 164 3.5 Mililani Mauka Elem. 1,037 290 3.5 Kualapuu Elementary 399 112 3.5 Waimalu Elementary 712 200 3.5 Honaunau Elementary 364 103 3.5 Jarrett Middle 430 122 3.5 Kalihi Elementary 295 86 3.4 Laupahoehoe High & Elem. 253 74 3.4 Lanai High & Elementary 690 210 3.2 Honokaa Elementary 417 127 3.2 Kalihi-uka Elementary 325 101 3.2 Mililani Middle 1,621 506 3.2 Hanalei Elementary 298 94 3.1 Waikoloa Elementary 546 175 3.1 Waiahole Elementary 124 40 3.1 Waialua Elementary 570 195 2.9 Kamalii Elementary 872 300 2.9 Olomana 183 65 2.8 Holomua Elementary 1,001 360 2.7 Naalehu Elementary 459 170 2.7 Paauilo Elem. & Inter. 245 91 2.6 Kealakehe High 1,119 425 2.6 Kapaa Middle 871 350 2.4 Paia Elementary 233 96 2.4 Kapolei Middle 1,024 430 2.3 Keanae Elementary 7 3 2.3 Konawaena Elementary 771 335 2.3 Waikele Elementary 615 275 2.2 Keaau High 274 125 2.1 Maunaloa Elementary 70 32 2.1 Hookena Elementary 340 162 2.0 Kilohana Elementary 123 75 1.6 Jefferson Orthopedic 14 14 1.0 Pohukaina 4 5 0.8 Hawaii Center for the
Deaf & the Blind73 140 0.5 Kapolei High (new school) N/A N/A N/A Kauai Middle (new school) N/A N/A N/A
