Posted on: Tuesday, February 24, 2004

ISLAND VOICES
Getting back to the basics in school

By T. Bruce Honda

I am puzzled. All this talk about reforming education in our public schools, funding disagreements, unacceptably low test scores, a school board for each county, and more.

Solutions are immediately available without any of the complicated and confusing dialogue. Inasmuch as the fundamentals of education at any level must, of necessity, include the basic reading, writing and arithmetic, our Legislature should adopt a mandate that our entire educational program be completely overhauled and replaced by a curriculum that includes only arithmetic, reading and writing.

The intensive program would allow for no distractions and fancy curricula that attract the fancy of "progressive" educators. The exception would be a special program for those who are exceptionally gifted. Focusing on these fundamentals would certainly lead to a sounder education that would thoroughly prepare the student to do well in tests, prepare for college, as well as to become a more constructive member of society. Foreign students do well because of their focus on these fundamentals.

The deficiency in our educational programs and system is readily apparent upon examination of the number of students who graduate from our public schools. Attend a graduation ceremony and note the number of students who graduate with honors: cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, valedictorian and other academic honors.

With such numbers graduating with high honors, one has to wonder why the test scores are unacceptable. What are the criteria to qualify for these honors?

We also witness the number of teachers who are awarded outstanding teacher honors primarily based upon their teaching skills, innovations, creativity, motivation of students and developing incentives. Why not assemble these teachers within the Department of Education to effectively develop teaching programs so that their skills may become standards for all teachers? This would ensure our children in public schools would be the beneficiaries of the best minds.

There is no reason why our educational system should take a back seat and our children to be classified as mediocre based upon testing standards. We have the best and brightest students. Give them a fair chance. Make them proud of an education nurtured in Hawai'i.

T. Bruce Honda is the retired supervising deputy for the attorney general in the tax division. He lives in Honolulu.