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Saturday, September 16, 2000
By Mary Anne Raywid
Special to the Star-Bulletin
Illustration by David Swann, Star-Bulletin
ON Sept. 23, when the primary elections are held, Hawaii will narrow the list of 30 state Board of Education candidates to 14, who will stand for the general election on Nov. 7. On that date, seven new members of the state's 13-member Board of Education will be elected: one from Kauai, one from the Big Island and five from Oahu. One Oahu member will be chosen from the Leeward District, one from Honolulu, and three at-large members. But first, next Saturday's primary election will winnow the field of 25 candidates to 10.
There are people in Hawaii and elsewhere who have given up on electing boards of education. They maintain that the public doesn't know -- or doesn't care -- or can't find out enough about candidates to justify electing boards.
About the election
The primary election is Sept. 23.
The Hawaii League of Women Voters took up the challenge of finding out just what kind of educational perspectives are reflected in the would-be board members. We devised a survey asking for knowledge and thought in responding to 10 questions. We received well-reasoned, insightful responses from some, while others appeared to offer uninformed and off-the-cuff replies to questions that are anything but simple.
A few of the candidates didn't bother to reply at all -- despite two or three follow-up calls to each one. And that seems something of a statement in itself, when people who want to be voted into public office are unwilling to take the time to share their views for dissemination by a public interest group.
When the Star-Bulletin indicated an interest in printing these responses and saw how extensive they were, league members were asked to choose three or four questions most central to revealing candidates' general orientations. We selected three of our questions and included a fourth reply for each candidate, the fourth representing the response that seemed to afford the best supplementary glimpse into the candidate's broad perspective.
We hope Oahu's citizens will look carefully at these statements, which can yield considerable insight into BOE candidates' perspectives. We invite those who want to know more to go to Democracy Network, the web site maintained by the National League of Women Voters. By logging on to www.dnet.org, they will be able to see the full set of replies submitted by Hawaii's BOE candidates.
So often it has seemed close to impossible to discern what candidates really stand for and represent. The BOE makes decisions crucial to the well-being of Hawaii's children -- and to the well-being of the state. We hope voters will take a careful look at the orientation these candidates would bring to matters arising in the body to which they seek election. It is often said that the usual voter decision basis is no more than name recognition. The positions reported by these candidates offer far sounder grounds for arriving at choices that make sense.
The answers of board members who responded are below.
Mary Anne Raywid is chairwoman of the education
committee of the Hawaii League of Women Voters.
Leeward District
Marilyn Harris
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
Our school dropout rate is much more serious than our official records indicate. We are losing school children that we just don't notice. I am aware that children as young as first and second grade are out of school for months at a time and the system seems unaware. We must have a viable system that lets no children slip through the cracks. If the schools are too burdened to cope, they must not be afraid to ask for help, and we should have the help available.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose of education, and most especially public education, is to bring the largest range of choices to our lives. The quality of our education often dictates how limited or expansive our life will be. The world is like a huge ocean. Are we going to teach our children to be marathon swimmers or dog paddlers?
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
I am against "education policy" that says these children will be taught in a certain manner. Teaching is best left to experts -- teachers. To interfere would be micromanagement. Educational reform that stresses early childhood education will give them the tools and skills they are missing when they enter school. Smaller class sizes during early grades will give them the individual attention they need to succeed.
Many children entering school in Hawaii have been heavily exposed to oral cultures. This can be a difficulty in learning to read, which is predominantly visual. Early childhood education and presenting material in many forms (oral, visual, hands on) will help these children be more successful. It will help every child be more successful.
I work in an "oral culture." When parents are given information to help their child, they are as successful as any child.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
We do not have a vision of what our school system will look like when we have solved our "problems," except teachers and school systems will be "accountable" and students will have higher test scores in math and reading. We want the "problems" solved while spending the lowest adjusted amount for education in the nation. Right now our major obstacles are a lack of vision, and the Legislature's refusal to be accountable for funding our schools at a level that guarantees we will have the outcomes we have. We have gotten exactly what we pay for.
Ronald Mata
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
I take it very seriously. A school dropout more than likely will be society's problem later on in one way or another. More important, it may be a life void of the "American Dream." Life without a dream is a life wasted.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose of education is to provide society with the tools necessary to maintain or improve our living standards in many ways. The children of today are our resources for the future. This can only be accomplished by education. Public education is mandated by our government, to provide each child the opportunity to be educated in the best manner possible. This is our challenge: Can we provide the best education for Hawaii's children?
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
There is no easy answer to solve this situation. School success and ethnic background may be evident in some cases but not all. What really is the determining factor is parental involvement and other factors. Can we mandate parental/guardian involvement? A start may be to "model" school success and, in small steps, take it to a less fortunate school.
4. What areas of school improvement strike you as most important in Hawaii today?
We definitely need to improve the system academically, namely the SAT scores. Some schools do fairly well, yet many others do poorly.
Why?
School safety and violence is a big concern for students, teachers and parents. Prevention is the key and not reaction.
I am for alternative learning sites so conscientious teachers and students can concentrate on education instead of being interfered by disruptive, unruly students.
More funding for the "front line," i.e. classroom materials, books, aids, various equipment, environmental enhancements, etc. We can only have 100 percent effort if our classrooms are 100 percent equipped to do the job.
Oahu At-Large
Jim Brewer
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
It is a serious public problem and a personal tragedy. Hawaii's 1995 percent of population graduating high school was 84.1 percent.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
Full development of the human mind. A level playing field in a democratic society.
3. In Hawaii there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
All underperforming students should be identified and given the necessary attention to correct the problem. When whole schools are underperforming we need to send troubleshooter teams in to correct the situation.
4. What areas of school improvement strike you as most important in Hawaii today?
Civics education, optimal class sizes, high expectations and accountability, strong emphasis on social and physical sciences, math and language skills.
Carol Gabbard
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
The school dropout situation is extremely important because when a student drops out it is evidence that our school system has failed him or her. It is also very damaging for the economic well being of our state. We must strive to have an educated work force in order that we may attract business and industry to our state. We should consider offering more vocational options for students who have little or no interest in academic pursuits past high school. By doing this, we'd also be preparing students to enter the work force right out of high school.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose of education is to give young people the skills, knowledge, discipline and moral guidance that will allow them to become productive members of society. The purpose of public education is to give all children equal opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in life and in their chosen profession. Public school education is a cornerstone of our strongly held belief that everyone should have an equal chance at the pursuit of happiness.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
Standards-based educational reform is a good way of making sure that children of all ethnic backgrounds succeed. This reform effort supports the notion that every student can learn and that we should have high expectations, challenging curricula, and effective teaching for all. Teaching phonetic-based reading programs has met with great success for all ethnic groups and should be adopted by all schools. If children can read, they will be successful in school. With this goal in mind, we are likely to see the relationship between ethnic background and school success rapidly diminish.
4. What would you expect to be able to contribute as a board member?
I bring a "back to the basics" approach to education. Teaching children directly what they need to know, using phonics for reading, and drills and hard work for math and other areas. If we demand and expect more from our kids, they will learn more and meet the standards. Parents need to be more involved and take more responsibility for the education of their children, to support teachers and vice versa.
Ryan Gabbard
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
School dropouts have to be taken very seriously. Our children are the future of this world and we must do whatever it takes to keep these "problem" children interested and excited about learning.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose and goal of education is learning. Learning is as natural as drinking water. From the time our kids are born, our children are naturally anxious to learn. It's a matter of parents and society to keep up with that natural desire to learn. Schools really are meant to facilitate that and make it so that we are able to teach what would be of value to these young people. The purpose of public education is to give everyone an equal opportunity to learn the skills, discipline and develop abilities to become productive members of society.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
I would get parents more involved in their kids' education, increase expectations of students and have teachers spend more time with students on an individual basis to find out what their particular interests are and build their desire and excitement to learn from there.
4. What areas of school improvement strike you as most important in Hawaii today?
Develop programs that will excite kids to learn and teach them the relevance of their studies in today's world. More focus on health and physical education.
Carolyn Martinez Golojuch
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
The school dropout rate is very serious in our state. The total number of dropouts is sometimes hidden by preparing dropout totals from the number of students starting in their senior year rather than the first year of education. We need to know the dropout totals from the numbers starting school in elementary. Of course, those who move out of state would be removed from the totals.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose of education is to provide the opportunity to learn, to think and to inspire. When we do this, we keep the students returning to classrooms, eager to learn. Education is power and a great equalizer that everyone deserves regardless of their economic ability to pay. The wealthy will always have opportunities to attend quality schools. We need to work to upgrade our schools so that some day teachers will automatically register their own children in the public schools in their neighborhoods. Everyone has a right to education as part of the universal bill of civil rights.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
When we correlate ethnic background to school success, we buy into stereotypes that limit our students. We need to draw from all those success stories who are easily identified with any ethnic background to instill pride in the individual students and the ethnic communities at the same time...Anything else would have a negative impact on the individual, the school and the community.
I know from experience because of my high school years in Southern California during the 1960s. A counselor apologized that he did not have a scholarship for me even though my dad was medically retired from a construction accident. He said that since I was a Spanish woman, I would be getting married and having children. He said I did not need a college education to do that. Thus, I was 50 when I finally returned to higher education, and earned my B.A. and my masters' degree.
4. What would you expect to be able to contribute as a board member?
My background in social work and particularly my experience with the Department of Health in connection with the Felix vs. Cayetano consent decree gives me insight that would benefit the students...My years of volunteering as a tutor, chaperone, along with my belief that students have to be the priority would also be a benefit to the Board of Education. I bring to the board the promise to be the students' advocate.
Jacqueline Heupel
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
Any student who chooses to drop out of school is in danger of forfeiting a successful life. I did not encounter this situation to the degree where it was significant, because we tracked every child on our roster. If this is a problem in our schools, it is serious, and as a board member I would be very concerned and work to find resolution to the problem.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
Interesting question! Obviously its major purpose is to establish a literate society. Ignorance and illiteracy lead to chaos and worse. Public education was founded with the express purpose of offering every American the freedom to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become intelligent, literate human beings who would contribute positively to our democratic society.
Because we are now a global society in an age of information and technology, our responsibility and accountability to the education of all of our society is imperative. As an educator, I took my responsibility to educate our children very seriously, and took the steps needed to assure their opportunities. As a board member I would do no less. I welcome the challenge to impact more schools as I did the one to which I was assigned.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
...Students learn differently. Cultural mores may influence the way an ethnic group learns...Children come to school today with more knowledge than two or three decades ago. Yet schools continue to teach in traditional ways, universities included. Teachers must learn a variety of teaching strategies to accommodate the way students learn...Schools must offer a variety of courses, including technology-assisted curriculum. They must take advantage of partnerships in the community...and use these partners as resources to come into the classroom to teach real-life courses toward career planning. Good teaching and relevant courses are key to student motivation and learning.
A policy would include teacher-training and good school planning with community involvement to ensure student success...It is the expertise of the teacher and a good school curriculum and environment that will motivate the students, whatever race they are, to like school and want to learn.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
Lack of a master plan for education, too much politics in decision-making and hiring practices, lack of strategic planning from the state level to school level which results in arbitrary prioritizing in the budgeting process. Not enough contact between the state level administrators and the school level to determine what school needs really are. There is also a need for more relevant policies in state government for school operations to be more effective.
Donna R. Ikeda
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
Every student we lose is a loss to society at large. Alternatives must be utilized to keep students in school.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
I think that the purpose of education is to instill in children a love for learning that will last a lifetime. Public education has the awesome responsibility of taking all comers and finding ways to meet their needs so that all students are granted equal educational opportunity.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
I think that the correlation is socio-economic rather than ethnic. I think every situation should be assessed before any policy is adopted. How can you formulate a policy that will succeed without first understanding the problem?
4. How familiar are you with the way in which Hawaii schools are funded? How might the funding problems be addressed?
As former chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, I developed the state budget and am familiar with the process. Unless the education system is granted an independent source of funding, it will always be dependent upon winning the support of the governor and the Legislature. The board also needs to take a proactive role in the development of the department's budget submittal and not just rubber-stamp it.
James I. Kuroiwa Jr.
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
The dropout situation is the symptom of a serious problem. Hawaii must have a zero tolerance for dropouts. We must begin to pursue the cause for students dropping out from school if we are to begin improvement of the public education system.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
To preserve freedom, we must have a well-educated population. The Department of Education has the responsibility to provide education to all the children of Hawaii.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
I have never seen any data from credible research of any correlation between ethnic background and school success. Until such data is available, there should not be any modification of policy. Standards must be similar for all students. Challenge the student of any ethnic background and they will excel.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
The bureaucracy....To modify the existing organization and function of Hawaii's public education requires restructuring of the existing system. Restructuring must take place if we are to achieve public education excellence. The major cause of excellent programs failing is the existing system. For example, the current accountability and performance standards will become another failure. When an administrator or classroom teacher can refuse to change the existing curriculum to conform to the standards without consequence, the program will fail. The "Titanic" (Department of Education) will thus continue on its course.
Marcia Linville
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
I take the school dropout situation to be serious regardless of the numbers involved. Any student who drops out of school is adversely affected for the remainder of his or her life.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose of education is to develop the potential of any individual to the highest level possible. This includes intellectual, emotional, creative, physical and social development. The purpose of public education is to provide the citizen with the tools needed to interact effectively in civic, economic, cultural and community affairs.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
In Hawaii, since there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success, our education policy should be comprised of multi-cultural values and perceptions. Since parents provide the foundation for learning, parents should be involved in the development of curriculum.
4. Hawaii has a number of interest groups that function as "veto groups" opposing school improvement proposals. What would you do in the event that a school improvement proposal you thought important was unalterably opposed by one of these groups?
No one self-selected interest group has the right to function as a veto group opposing school improvement proposals desired by the community, the professionals and the parents and children. Any proposal that I thought important I would continue to support and explore additional avenues for communication and implementation.
Libby Pulelehua Oshiyama
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
The school dropout situation is far worse than the reported statistics indicate. One of the most frequent ages of school drop out is in the eighth grade. This is where substantial intervention and quality positive alternatives must be applied. The cost to the state for those young lives that are stunted by a lack of education and a feeling of failure must be enormous just in the area of social services.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose of education is to develop functioning members of the work force, literate members of society, and confident life-long learners. Education not only transmits the culture, but develops the skills to seek new knowledge. Public schools are charged with developing a citizenry that can actively participate in a democracy. This requires student involvement that cultivates empowerment, self-expression, social consciousness and a sense of justice.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
It is the schools' lack of success in serving various ethnic groups, as well as poor children in general, that requires new approaches. Policy should dictate that we listen more to those communities and respond with them in developing the schools that they believe will work for their children. This includes more incentives to develop diverse schooling opportunities, and the creative expertise of professionals.
New teachers from those groups should be recruited and assisted with their education certification. This is crucial in Hawaii where the schooling model is European in origin, but the majority of our students come from non-European, island cultures. All the citizens of our state -- not to mention the economy -- will benefit from every student experiencing motivation and success.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
Major obstacles to school improvement include: the enormous size of many schools, especially the secondary schools; the multiple demands made on teachers to change, yet they receive limited explanation, support, or leadership roles; the lack of on-going professional development and intense teacher collaboration; some administrators who see themselves as the primary decision-maker; the lack of collaboration/communication with parents about what is happening and why; the limited knowledge of how to provide appropriate learning opportunities for some children; a data collection system that is not yet up to par; inadequate facilities and resources; the lack of a state-wide commitment to funding public schools better.
Shirley A. Robinson
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
Any percentage of dropouts is very serious.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
To equip our children with the kind of education needed to become responsible, productive members of society.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
Parents and responsible adults for the children need to get involved. They need to take an active role in their children's education.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
Education is not a top priority of our politicians. Children do not vote, therefore needed improvements for education are not funded.
Garrett Mitsuo Toguchi
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
Very. While our graduation rate seems to be rather high (around 90 plus percent) it is misleading because it doesn't consider students who have dropped out before their senior year. I believe that more must be done across all levels of students but even more so among those in the lower academic achievement areas.
However, I don't believe that the BOE/DOE is the only entity that should be held responsible for the reasons students drop out. There needs to be a partnership with the counties, with other state and federal entities if we are to combat the factors that contribute to students dropping out or underachieving.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
To make the world a better place to live for everyone all the time. Public education's purpose is to make sure that everyone has that opportunity.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
A variety of strategies should be tried. However, the basic practice should be to identify trends (whether by geography or ethnicity) in academic weakness and plan to support that specific group. Some strategies could include hiring teachers from the same ethnic backgrounds to serve as role models; bilingual education should receive continued support in teaching the curriculum to students for whom English is a second language.
4. How familiar are you with the way in which Hawaii schools are funded? How might the funding problems best be addressed?
Very familiar. BOE needs to do three things. First, we need to begin creating financial accountability mechanisms for the DOE to respond to. This would assure the BOE that the funds are being used in an appropriate manner. Secondly, we need a policy that would revamp the way schools receive categorical funds. Instead of automatically being allocated money schools would have to apply for these types of funds.
Lastly, schools should be allotted all of their basic funds on a per pupil basis. Currently, payroll funds are kept in a central pool. Allowing schools to have control of the total budget would then assure that funding across every school is the same per student.
Jasmine Williams
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
Extremely serious. Every student should have the supports necessary to graduate. Current policy is too lenient.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
Education is meant to pass on knowledge to our children in order for them to develop the ability to pursue life, liberty and happiness. It is a means by which children are instructed in the fundamental values of our nation.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
I think we should look at the correlation between the schools' low expectations of students from certain ethnic backgrounds. I believe all children can and want to learn. They simply have to believe they are capable and be encouraged and supported by those who instruct them.
4. What areas of school improvement strike you as most important in Hawaii today?
Performance and content standards. High expectations and equal access to quality education for all children, with proper supports for teachers and equipment to successfully implement instruction.
Mike Wong
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
School dropout is a symptom of a school system that is unable to meet the needs of its students. School dropout is a serious problem and affects more than just the individual dropout. A dropout is less likely to be a productive member of society since the lack of a diploma severely limits opportunities. A parent who is a dropout may not be as able to provide their children who are now in school with the assistance and support necessary to be successful. There is a systemic effect of a student dropout on society.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
Ideally the purpose of education is to improve society generation to generation. However, with the way our educational system is going right now all we are getting is perpetuation of the status quo. We need to fix our educational system so that being educated in a public school is an equalizer. Our public school students need to have the same types of opportunities as those in private schools upon graduation.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
Any policy developed based on the presumption that an ethnic group is less likely to succeed in school is dangerous. A policy that singles out an ethic group would be stigmatizing and result in hurting the people who need to be helped. Individuals who are not being successful in school need to be individually identified. Once an individual has been identified as needing additional help to be successful in school only then might it be appropriate to be sensitive to the cultural background of the individual to make any assistance more effective.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
One major obstacle to implementing school improvement is dealing with competing interests. All of the different groups concerned with our educational system have different priorities and these groups are often unwilling to compromise. We need to focus on our shared vision and move forward from there.
Randall M.L. Yee
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
The importance of the school dropout situation is based on its relation to the state of our economy and the unemployment rate. These conditions are critical in our overall standard of living. The problem of students who cannot be taught using the traditional form of education will not disappear. As a result, there is a continued need for alternative programs aimed at teaching "at risk" students skills that will allow them to enter the labor force and become productive, contributing members of our community.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
I believe the purpose of education is to open a child's eyes to the limitlessness of his or her potential and to prepare a child for the realities of the future. The purpose of the public education system is to provide a level playing field for all children to learn the skills that will allow them to pursue his or her dreams. Public education must be diverse and flexible to meet these goals.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
If such a correlation exists, then it is important to identify the needs of each group so that schools can address and tailor these ethnic and cultural needs as part of the system. I believe that schools should be an extension of the community rather than a separate unrelated institution.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
It is easy to say that the lack of funds is the major obstacle for improvement of the school; however, problems won't disappear even if the Legislature increases its appropriation. I believe that the root of the problem stems from a lack of unified vision in the direction of the public education system. Once there is consensus in a vision, then goals can be prioritized and funding can be allocated accordingly.
Honolulu District
Dick Brawley
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
A significant school dropout rate is an obvious indicator that our public schools may have a problem and a signal that we need to understand why the problem exists. Without more information, it is patently unfair to blame our educators or infer that the only culprit is our public school system.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
To mentally develop an informed citizenry. From a personal stand point, if education is the key to our future, and if our children are our future, then it is incumbent upon us to protect our future by providing the best education possible for our children.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
I've heard of something similar; however, as a product of downtown public schools with strong diverse ethnic backgrounds, I have not witnessed this correlation. There is probably a stronger correlation between school success and home environment than any...ethnic grouping. As such, I do not favor any change to accommodate ethnic labeling.
4. What do you see as the major current obstacles to school improvement?
The status quo malaise. We all know the public school system is lacking and it has become a proverbial election year issue, yet, aside from the rhetoric of frustration, nothing gets done because those responsible aren't held to task.
Malcolm Kirkpatrick
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
The dropout situation is very serious, since it points to the persistent failure of our schools for many children. I see no problem with literate, mathematically adept young people leaving school at any age to continue their education in the adult world. It is a tragedy that many poorly educated children see dropping out as their best option. The tragedy, of course, is that they may be right.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
Education is an investment, that is, a sacrifice of current consumption in anticipation of enhanced consumption (of material or spiritual goods) later.
There are no economies of scale at the delivery end of the education business as it currently operates, and education is not a natural monopoly (the two usual arguments for state operation of an industry). Education only loosely meets the definition of a "public good" as economists use the term (one common argument for regulation and subsidy). The "public good" argument does not imply state operation of schools.
On the U.S. mainland, and in Hawaii, the current policy, which restricts a parent's options to schools operated by state employees, originated in anti-Catholic bigotry and is perpetuated by current recipients of the tax-funded K-12 education subsidy.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
The relation between ethnicity and school success holds across the U.S. Large school districts drag the children of the least politically adept parents down farthest. The relation between ethnicity and school success is far weaker when parents control, as in small school districts, in independent and parochial schools, and among homeschoolers. The board and Legislature should: mandate a) that state schools offer every course required for graduation credit-by-exam, for a grade; B) that all schools offer the GED at any age; C) that the DOE hire parents, on personal service contracts, to provide for their children's education.
4. What would you expect to be able to contribute as a board member?
The Board of Education needs a (former) teacher's perspective and, even more, a skeptical eye and ear to apply to the cliches in which education policy is discussed and to the proposals that rise from the depths of the DOE bureaucracy: The budget was NOT cut. Administration was NOT cut. Hawaii's performance is NOT "average or above average;" U.S. DOE test scores place Hawaii in the national cellar. System spokesmen misrepresent budget and performance data to the board, the press and the public.
Denise Matsumoto
1. How serious do you take the school dropout situation to be?
I take the dropout situation very seriously. The major reason why students drop out is failure to read well. Numerous studies and research have been done and they show that the majority of troubled youths as well as incarcerated adults are illiterate. That is why the literacy effort is so important to me. That is the main reason I am seeking re-election. I want to be sure our literacy policy is successfully implemented. We cannot let any more students slip through the system. We must give them the most important tool to succeed. That the tool for success is being able to read.
2. What is the purpose of education? Of public education?
The purpose of education is to provide students the opportunity to attain the knowledge, skills and character traits which are necessary for them to meet their full potential and become caring, independent and contributing citizens of our state, nation and world. This purpose is for both public and private education.
3. In Hawaii, there is a strong correlation between ethnic background and school success. What sort of education policy do you find appropriate for such a situation?
I must again point out the board's literacy policy. When all students are given all the skills necessary to read, ethnic backgrounds will not deter anyone from school success. Major national research now shows that the comprehensive approach called for in our policy ensures success for all regardless of ethnic background. For example, at the turn of the century, Hawaiians were very literate and they learned to read with phonics. Yet, since the implementation of literacy programs, such as whole language, literacy had steadily declined, leveling off only in the last 10 years. When we go back to the way it was easiest to teach all students to read, school success will naturally improve.
4. What areas of school improvement strike you as most important in Hawaii today?
The most important issue is literacy. We have let too many students slip through without the necessary reading skills. For years, I have tried to have the board adopt a policy requiring phonics education. In 1997, I was successful in getting our literacy policy adopted which calls for every student to be a proficient reader and writer by the end of third grade. In addition, it calls for phonics and phonemic awareness to be part of a comprehensive literacy program. Now, national research is backing me up and schools are finally beginning to teach using phonics and phonemic awareness. Early results show success at schools implementing these strategies. However, the implementation must be closely monitored and supported through funding and accountability systems.