Posted on: Friday, April 8, 2005

Tougher student standards on hold

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Education Writer

The Board of Education voted unanimously last night to postpone for three years the implementation of stricter promotion standards for students in grades 6 through 8.

The board had voted in 2002 to require that students in those grades receive passing grades in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies to be promoted to the next grade level.

Schools had been gearing up for the change, which was to take effect this year. But many had raised concerns that schools were not adequately staffed or funded to provide standards-based instruction and transition programs for students who do not meet the requirements and are held back.

"When we created this policy several years ago, we anticipated everything being in place," said board chairman Breene Harimoto. "We realized everything is not fully in place, and the schools need more time to be sure everything's fully in place."

Another concern was that promotion standards should be tightened for all grade levels, rather than just 6 through 8, to prepare students for new proficiency requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Last night's vote will postpone the new promotion requirements until the 2007-2008 school year.

Board members stressed that students will still be required to take science classes in grades 7 and 8, and that federal standards soon will require schools to demonstrate science proficiency.

Reach Johnny Brannon at 525-8084 or jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com.