[ OUR OPINION ]
Registry should give
sex offenders a way
to challenge listingsIN what appears to be an attempt at compromise, state legislators have fashioned a bill that would deny the right to a hearing for past sex offenders before their photos and addresses are splashed across the Internet. At some point, all offenders should be afforded an opportunity to challenge the reasons for their lifelong public humiliation.
THE ISSUE
Legislators have agreed to a bipartisan compromise to post information about past sex offenders on a Web site.
The state Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that all convicted sex offenders should be allowed hearings before their names, convictions, home and work addresses and their automobiles are placed on an Internet registry maintained by the state. Prosecutors say they cannot possibly prepare for hearings of all 1,900 sex offenders who have completed their sentences and live in Hawaii.
Concern that the offenders will commit other sex crimes is warranted. A U.S. Department of Justice in November found that sex offenders were four times more likely than offenders of non-sex crimes to be rearrested for a sex crime. The 15-state study showed that 5.3 percent of the 9,691 sex offenders released from prison in 1994 were rearrested for sex crimes within three years. As the number of their arrests increased, so did the likelihood that they would be arrested yet again.
The proposed compromise would automatically place some sex-offense convicts on the Internet registry depending on their sex crimes. The Legislature would determine the basis of such automatic placement. Most likely to be subjected to the exposure would be multiple offenders and child molesters, who have higher recidivism rates than other sex offenders.
According to the proposed constitutional amendment, legislators would decide how long convicts would remain on the registry before they could ask for a hearing on their continued Internet exposure. At some point, all convicts should have such an opportunity.
During the constitutional amendment process, state Attorney General Mark Bennett and the four county prosecutors have agreed to "work to conduct as many hearings during that time as possible," according to the bipartisan compromise. Prosecutors should be able to apply an assessment standard in determining which offenders pose the highest risk and should be put at the front of the line to the registry, prompting early hearings.
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Students can rise
to higher standardsRAISING requirements for graduation undoubtedly will place more demands on public high school students as well as educators. Adding two more course credits to the current 22 also could hurt Hawaii's standing as it seeks to improve graduation rates as federal law mandates.
THE ISSUE
The Board of Education might increase credit requirements for a high school diploma.
Despite these challenges, setting more rigorous standards will better prepare students for college or other advanced education and for entering the job market, a goal well worth the effort.
A plan adopted by a Board of Education committee calls for students to take two more year-long courses to receive their diplomas, placing Hawaii among just a handful of states that sets 24 credits as the requirement.
The proposal follows two years of review by a task force with the aim of broadening academics to better fit the educational needs of a range of students. The group's initial plan to cut a year of social studies, a half-year of physical education, an elective credit and a half-year guidance course met opposition.
PE was of particular concern as obesity has become a national health problem. Dropping social studies, which is considered an integral part of schooling, also drew criticism.
Rather than cut courses in order to introduce new ones to fit the 22-credit formula, the board committee opted for the increase, a sensible solution that does contain some risks.
Among them are a requirement of the No Child Left Behind law that public schools get better graduation rates year by year. Some fear students who don't accrue 24 credits will drop out, but the plan's extended course offerings provide enough choice. Students headed for college may elect to take foreign language courses while those interested in the trades or technical careers may choose related studies. Others inclined toward music or fine arts also have alternatives. High achievers will be able to include senior projects in their schooling to gain 25 credits and special diplomas.
All in all, the proposal encompasses a diversity of student needs. It allows students to fit instruction to their ambitions. With the public headed for reform, the changes in diploma requirements are timely.
