Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
1. Any particular reason the Hawaiian immersion schools should not be considered charter schools?
Sun Feb 12, 2012, 12:32 AM
Feb 2012

That is effectively what they are...taxpayer funded niche environments that now want exceptions to what every other public school in the state is doing.

To debunk the "We do it for Hispanics" argument...there are no immigrants arriving who speak only Hawaiian. When I grew up in Honolulu, no one came to school with Hawaiian being their only language. I do not believe that has changed.

The Hawaii school systems are still in deep yogurt. They never really did do what Federal law requires for children with disabilities due to budget concerns, and that was about a decade back. The overall situation has worsened since then.

I have nothing against the language or its people, since they are also my ohana. Hawaiian was the first language I learned after English. If we really cared about the the children, we would shut down the immersion schools or at least limit expenditures on them to no more than an equivalent public school and make sure their graduates are also adequately skilled in standard academics.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Hawaii»Hawaiian Language Student...»Reply #1