By the year 2014, all schools in Hawaii will be in corrective action for not being able to meet AYP. This is due to the fact that we are underfunded and understaffed, with a high percentage of our students living below the poverty level.  

"Every year, Hawaii has to hire 1,700 brand new teachers, mostly from the mainland, because every year 1,700 teachers choose to leave Hawaii due to poor working conditions and low pay. With the high staff turnover, it is difficult to keep continuity in programs, so students may learn and relearn the same material from a new teacher who does not understand the new program, how to teach it, or understand the scope and sequence of the program. Training for new teachers is very limited.   

"I have found that the nationally normed tests that we use are culturally biased for our students in Hawaii. The test designed by the state is too difficult for the students to understand and pass. The fifth-grade state test was given to the governor's staff; they all failed. The governor refused to take the test. 

"Under NCLB, almost all schools will eventually be unable to make AYP. We are punishing our students, and teachers as well, with unrealistic goals. It is time to set aside NCLB, allow teachers the academic freedom to do what they have always done best, fully fund education, and take our place in the world market with well-rounded, fully educated children."

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