06-16-2007, 06:24 PM
I hear more complaints about the public school system from "locals" than I hear from newcomers. (Maybe because they have more kids in it?) The charter school movement has been a godsend to them and their kids. By the far from perfect measuring methods of school quality, Hawaii rates near the very bottom in nearly all categories, and the "locals" know they suffer most from it. While a "superior attitude" certainly does not help, no amount of aloha and glossing over the shortcomings will rescue a failed system. More charter schools is the only practical answer, and the State Board of Education has a history of throwing roadblocks in their path. I guess they can see the writing on the wall, i.e. give the people enough charters and the regular school system will eventually be abandoned, thus eliminating their political power base.