[ BOARD OF EDUCATION ]
2
Maui
Mary J. Cochran
Age: Not given Job: Attorney/ Small business owner Past: Field representative, HSTA
What qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
I am firmly committed to the underlying principles of public education. My educational and business background gives me the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with the challenges of education facing Hawaii today.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
Implementing mandates of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and as amended, the No Child Left Behind Act. Implementation will require priority spending with priority given to the development of critical thinking skills, facilities, certified teachers, up-to-date textbooks.
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
By adopting quality testing model or models which will provide educators with reliable and verifiable data as to where the greatest needs are, funding it appropriately and immediately even if it means the further streamlining or elimination of programs.
Kelly T. King
Age: 42 Job: Hui Malama Learning Center project coordinator Past: Member, Board of EducationWhat qualifies you to be on the Board of Education?
I feel that my past experience serving on the board was successful in terms of what I learned, the time invested, and my ability to represent the public in education matters. Also, before and since that term I have been active in my own children's public education, an experience I deem vital to this position.
What is the greatest problem facing Hawaii schools and how would you fix it?
The greatest problem is lack of accountability. I support decentralizing the system as it exists today as this would be the beginning of real accountability. Within our district communities we need to come together to create a written contract, committing to each of our roles and responsibilities ...
How can the board help improve standardized math and reading test scores for Hawaii students?
Definition of and implementation of the state standards is an ongoing problem. The board needs to be sure all schools are aligning curriculum with the standards and articulating that curriculum between and among grade levels for consistency. ...
