Policy Briefs
from Senator Norman Sakamoto
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN– 1/30/08
Children enter Kindergarten eager to learn. School personnel and parents want their children to succeed. Adjusting to present day kindergarten can be a difficult for some children and their families. This adjustment may be even more challenging for young children whose level of development level may not readily match the expectations of school.
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT – Updated 8/22/07
Concerned with America losing its competitive advantage to other nations, US Congress and President George W. Bush in 2002 passed into law the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
FIXING OUR SCHOOLS – Updated 7/25/2007
On July 22, 2007 the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported that the funds to repair schools are being held by the Governor. Our call to release these funds has been echoed in a subsequent Star Bulletin editorial.
As championed in the past, R&M efforts need to continue without disruption. If R&M becomes a low priority, when will the backlog be reduced? Fixing our schools needs to remain a high priority.
UH BOARD OF REGENTS CANDIDATE ADVISORY COUNCIL 7/24/07
Historically, members of the University of Hawaii (UH) Board of Regents have been appointed by the Governor. However, this longstanding and widespread practice has come under serious questioning.
SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY 2/09/07
The military is a significant part of our island community. Recognizing the important service and the sacrifices they are making for their country, the Hawaii Legislature passed measures to honor their sacrifices and to support them and their families during their stay in Hawaii. We are proud to have had the opportunity to serve as chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Military Affairs from 2005 to 2006.
SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY'S CHILDREN 2/09/07
Many military personnel come to Hawaii with their wives, husbands, and children. United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye noted that we ought to see the military children as our children. The Hawaii Legislature has taken steps to ensure a supportive environment for their family and a quality learning environment for their children.
CHARTER SCHOOLS - 5/30/06
Charter schools represent a new approach to public education in Hawaii. A charter school is a public school with its own local school board. It has the flexibility to choose its own curriculum while at the same time is bound by the same academic standards as other public schools.
FELIX DECREE - 5/21/06
In May 1993, Jennifer Felix, represented by her mother, filed a suit in federal court alleging that the State of Hawaii failed to provide her with adequate mental health services.
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT – 5/21/06
Concerned with America losing its competitive advantage to other nations, US Congress and President George W. Bush in 2002 passed into law the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
WEIGHTED STUDENT FORMULA – 3/5/06
Weighted student formula (WSF) is a key component of the 2004 Reinventing Education Act. Its purpose is to improve the quality of public education in Hawaii by bringing greater equity and fairness to school spending. WSF was not intended to work by itself. In the Reinventing Education Act of 2004 WSF was linked to the decentralization of DOE, giving principals greater autonomy as well as imposing greater accountability..
THREE EDUCATION INITIATIVES – 2/12/06
Our educational system will be greatly improved if we can: (1) eliminate the R&M (repair and maintenance) backlog, (2) ensure fair distribution of CIP (capital improvement projects) resources, and (3) increase the number of teachers in order to lower the student-to-teacher ratio.