Anderson envisions 'alternative' schools
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Democratic gubernatorial candidate D.G. "Andy" Anderson yesterday said he wants to create "alternative" public schools for special-needs children, which he says would improve public education for all students.
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The alternative schools would be modeled after private schools that focus on students with learning disabilities, such as ASSETS School and Variety School, he said.
D.G. "Andy" Anderson says his plan would give parents options.
He said establishing such public schools would give parents of special-needs children a choice of sending them to a mainstream public school or to an alternative school. He said students attending an alternative school could also transfer back to a mainstream public school.
The idea was among those in a plan Anderson outlined at a news conference to address the state's obligation to comply with the federal Felix consent decree, which mandates improved services for special-needs students.
Anderson also proposed establishing a school-within-a-school system for areas with smaller numbers of special-needs students. In such a system, such students could be in an alternative program for several hours each day and be in mainstream classes the rest of the time, he said.
Anderson said teachers face difficulties when a classroom includes students who are advanced, those who are learning English and those who have special needs.
"How does a teacher communicate to a mixed bag like that and have a child comprehend, understand and cope with what she's trying to do?" he said. "It's impossible. You cannot have this mix out there and expect any child to attain their level of education."
Anderson said he does not yet know how much such a system would cost, but that he believes the public education system has enough facilities and money to accommodate the alternative schools.
Other elements of Anderson's proposal include:
- Testing all children entering kindergarten to identify their needs early in their schooling and begin special education if necessary.
- Transferring oversight and compliance of the Felix decree from a court master to the governor's office.
Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
