Hawaii Micro Robotics Bipedal Robot Workshop

The 2nd Hawaii Micro Robotics Bipedal Robot Workshop will be held August 25-26 at Hawaii Community College in Hilo. The workshop is designed to stimulate high technology education and assist in creating a technically capable workforce by developing the infrastructure and skill sets necessary to support high technology robotics-based activities as programs for potentially larger efforts, and, as a result, increasing the number of students who have access to micro robotics, a program that is transitional between high school and college.

Elementary (grades 5, 6, enrichment), middle, and high school teachers with school robotics teams are eligible to participate in the workshop. The cost is $25 per teacher or adult mentor and includes 2 lunches. A bipedal kit will be provided for each registered participant and participants are encouraged to bring a laptop computer for programming their biped robot, and, if possible, an Android phone or tablet.

The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel has a special rate of $92 per night for a room that accommodates up to 4 people (a reservation form can be found and downloaded at the bottom of the page).

The event is sponsored by Friends of Hawai'i Robotics, University of Hawai'i Hawai'i Community College, Waiakea High Robotics, Hawai'i Nasa Space Grant Consortium, and Easybotics. Further details and the application form can be found below.

2012 Bipedal Robot Workshop

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Reservation Form

Tapping the Hurricane Relief Fund for Education

Photo: Hawaii Education Matters

The legislature passed SB2124 authorizing $67 million from the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to end the public school Furlough Fridays for next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010. The DOE, BOE, HSTA and the Governor must agree on the amount to be used, but the legislature did its part in making funds available.

The use of the Hurricane Relief Fund, which currently has a balance of about $180 million, is appropriate. Here’s why:

· The Hurricane Relief Fund, which was attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is no longer an active program. The mandatory annual contribution by property owners into the fund was abolished in 2001.

· People frequently ask, “What happens when we are hit by another hurricane? We need the money from the Hurricane Relief Fund to help with disaster relief.”

· The Hurricane Relief Fund was originally created after Hurricane Iniki, when private sector insurance companies ceased offering hurricane insurance. While the fund once served to provide hurricane insurance to Hawaii's mortgage holders, the re-entry of private sector insurance firms into the hurricane coverage market has negated this need. The fund no longer provides insurance policies, and moneys currently left are no longer needed to provide this service. While some may believe the fund is supposed to be used for reconstruction in the wake of a future hurricane, this is not the case.

· What about people who paid into the fund in past years? Shouldn’t they get their money back? The answer is “no.” Like any other insurance policy, once the policy ends, the insured does not receive back the amount of the premium.

· The fund balance, according to statute, should be transferred to the general fund. However, the current insurance commissioner has testified that the funds should remain in place in case the program needs to be reactivated in the future.

· Provided the $67 million from the fund is spent to end teacher furloughs, there will still be a balance in excess of $100 million, which is more than enough to reactivate the program, if needed.

· The balance is considered one of the state’s reserves, and plays an important role in qualifying Hawaii for a strong bond rating.

· While no one wants to tap into the fund if possible, most agree that the Furlough Friday situation is serious enough to warrant setting money aside from the Hurricane Relief Fund. Also, it doesn’t tie up general fund money that could be used for other worthwhile programs in case the parties are unable to reach agreement on the teachers’ contract.

Time to clean up the school furlough mess

The following opinion piece, written by Rep. Roy Takumi, was printed on October 30, 2009 in the Honolulu Advertiser.

One day I came across Karley, my granddaughter, sitting in the middle of a mess in the living room. When asked "Who did this?" she said, "Isaiah," her oldest brother and favorite target when needing someone to blame. It's not surprising she wouldn't fess up; after all, she's only 2 years old.

What's surprising is how we got into this mess of achieving the dubious distinction of having the fewest classroom days in the country. After all, adults, not children, made this mess.

Oh, I've heard all the arguments. Some say, "It's only fair that we all have to share the pain." But by insisting that everyone has to be furloughed the same number of days may be fair to the adults, it certainly isn't right for our children.

Others say, "It came down to a dollars-and-cents issue." But to save a few cents we have abandoned our common sense. Furloughs shortchange our children's future and represent a collective failure by all of us — including me. It raises disturbing questions about what we value and what we believe is important.

I don't want to sugarcoat our situation. The budget deficit is real, but we are not alone. Forty-seven other states are facing budget gaps totaling at least $350 billion over the next two years. Yet states such as Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Oregon have bigger deficits than we do but did not enact furloughs to the degree that we did.

I'm not interested in pointing fingers. I am far more interested in where we go from here. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's suggestion that all the stakeholders work it out is a critical first step (The Honolulu Advertiser, Oct. 25).

But it won't go anywhere unless there is a willingness to reopen the negotiations. The governor needs to take the lead on this.

Once this happens, then the greater community — parents, students, unions, businesses, non-profits, legislators, congressional delegation, BOE, DOE — needs to reach a consensus on how to get our students back into the classroom. Every option — drawing down of special funds, seeking federal assistance, targeted tax increases, wage cuts, exchanging noninstructional days and holidays, rearranging the school calendar — needs to be on the table.

Let me put it in practical terms.: If teachers were willing to accept a combination of a small wage cut (for example, a 1 percent cut would save two furlough days) and a few furlough days that fall on holidays, this would reduce the cut in classroom days by three or four. We could also require that every school exchange a certain number of noninstructional days. As it stands, less than a third of the schools have requested this. If the governor is open (along with the Legislature) to using a portion of the Hurricane Relief Fund or consider a slight temporary increase in the GET, a few more days would be saved.

No one has the silver-bullet solution, but I believe we can reach a consensus that is based solely on what is in the best interests of our children.

Still, this is only a short-term approach. We also need to seriously debate longer-term strategies for moving to a more efficient, effective and focused system. This means closing low-performing schools, consolidating schools that no longer serve communities due to shrinking enrollments, funding universal pre-school, and increasing alternatives for learning such as on-line instruction and charter schools.

We also need to closely scrutinize every government service that is currently provided and make the hard decisions on which services are less critical and which are necessary. We should not let the governor simply lay off employees without public input.

That day when Karley couldn't quite take responsibility for what she did was what educators call a teachable moment. It was a moment when I as an adult had to explain to her that when you make a mess, you are responsible for cleaning it up.

This is also a teachable moment for us adults. We made a mess. We are responsible for cleaning it up.

Let's get to work.

Representative Roy Takumi, D-36th (Pearl City) is chairman of the House Education Committee. He wrote this commentary for The Advertiser.

My child left behind

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied at the State Capitol today to protest the closing of Hawaii public schools due to the State's implementation of "furlough Fridays."

As part of the Hawaii State Teacher's Association (HSTA) recently ratified two-year contract with the State, teachers will be furloughed 17 days of each school year, leaving more than 170,000 school children with two three-day weekends a month -- and over three weeks out of the classroom.

Parents, teachers and students displayed signs saying "I need 180 days" and "My child left behind." The general message from protesters was for lawmakers and the governor to find another way to balance the state budget without cutting student educational days. (Speaker Calvin Say's public statement on the anti-furlough Fridays rally)



Members of the event's organizing group, Hawaii Education Matters, hand delivered a petition to Governor Linda Lingle. It is reported that more than 4,000 signature are on the petition.

Jack Johnson, North Shore resident and famous music artist, sang "Better Together" and other songs for parents, teachers and students who attended the rally.

No Child Left Behind Reloaded

It's the day after Labor Day, traditionally a day that marks the end of summer and when kids go back to school. This morning, President Obama spoke to students about taking responsibility for their own learning. The full text of his speech is here.

As well, the September issue of "State Legislatures", the publication of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), zooms in on the controversial No Child Left Behind Act and what a new version of the legislation might look like. The full article is here.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is considered the most sweeping federal authority over state and local school boards in our country's history. The accountability provisions are considered the most problematic. Key requirements of the act are currently up for reauthorization, and they include:

*Testing all students in grades three through eight, and every year once in high school.

*Requiring schools receiving federal funds for disadvantaged students and schools with a certain percentage of low-income students to make progress in test scores.

*Putting any school failing to make "adequate yearly progess" on a "failing schools list", giving parents the option of sending their children to better peforming schools in the same district.

The criticism of such requirements is that they are unrealistic and impose punishments on schools failing to meet the standard. In addition, educators point to a "one size fits all" initiative imposed upon a diverse population.

It's been seven years since the passage of the NCLB Act; President George W. Bush signed it into law in 2002. While there is consensus that NCLB shines a light upon areas that need help - schools serving minority and poverty districts for example - there is also agreement that it's not working the way it should.

If and when the law is reauthorized, there are essentially two main concerns lawmakers around the country are raising:

*Control. States want more control, or at least more input, than they do now.

*Lack of resources. Schools don't have the resources to accomplish the mandated goals. If federal funds are reduced or elminated, some states have passed laws enabling them to opt out of the federal program.

How are we doing in Hawaii? The latest information can be found in a July 2009 news release on the subject from the Department of Education.

From Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto (at right):

“Over the past eight years, we have celebrated the steady gains made by students in reading and math. The progress made by our schools is evidence that student achievement is improving.

However, fulfilling the mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind Act continues to be an uphill battle for a majority of schools.”

“While today’s results only serve as one measure of how a school is performing, the need to close the achievement gap in Hawaii’s public schools still exists. We will break through the Adequate Yearly Progress ‘glass ceiling’ by implementing additional interventions tied to results, raising educational standards, demanding accountability, and redesigning our school day and instructional delivery system.“The truest measure of our efforts will be that our students successfully perform in the 21st century global economy because we delivered the high quality education they deserved.”

The results from the 2009 Hawaii State Assessment, used to determine a school's status under No Child Left Behind, are summarized in the news release with links to the full report.

Charter Schools funding

Rep. Joe Bertram (D11 - Makena, Wailea, Kihei) and charter school children

Charter school children visited the State Capitol today for a rally to advocate for increased funding from the Legislature. While no one disputes the value of charter schools in our community, lawmakers responded that money is tight. Most state agencies will see a reduction in their general fund budgets. In fact, the charter schools are one of the few entities that may get more money this fiscal year than they did last year.

In FY08, charter schools received $51,635,990. The House and Senate have both budgeted an increase to $56,150,695.

Charter schools project an enrollment increase and estimate that they will require an increase of around $19 million, as opposed to the Legislature's increase of $4,514,000. It should be noted that regular schools will be taking a reduction in funds of $8,455,255 in the House draft and $7,328,346 in the Senate draft.

Real Life Heroes - Teachers of the Year

On Friday, March 28th, the House congratulated Pascale Pinner as the 2008 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, as well as the Hawaii State District Teachers of the Year. The Resolution was offered by House Education Chair, Rep. Roy Takumi and Seconded by Education Vice Chair, Rep. Lyla Berg.

From left to right: Rep. Lyla Berg, Pascale Pinner, Cori Lei Chong, David Arakaki, Shari Takahashi, Suzanne Commings, and Kevin Mitsunaga.

Here are their districts and schools:

• Pascale Pinner, Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, Hilo Intermediate
  
• Cori Lei Chong, Honolulu District, Kaewai Elementary


• David Arakaki, Central District, Moanalua Middle School


• Shari Takahashi, Leeward District, Nanikapono Elementary


• Suzanne Cummings, Windward District, Kailua High School


• Kevin Mitsunaga, Kauai District, Kamakahelei Middle School


• Leighton Nakamoto, Maui District, Kalama Intermediate (unable to attend)

Creativity academy bill passes out of education

Supporters of a HB2587, introduced by Rep. Ryan I. Yamane, D-37 (Waipahu, Mililani),want to ignite the interests of Hawaii middle and high school students in core science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies through the integration of creative arts and media.

The bill states:

"...the creativity academies will infuse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics course curriculum with animation, game development, digital media, and creative publishing projects, blending art and science into a comprehensive lesson plan."

Studies reveal that interest in math and science sharply declines after the 6th grade among Hawaii students. The bill aims to create a practical bridge between the arts and the sciences in an effort to prepare students for a growing science-and technology-driven economy.

Appropriated monies would fund the development of the program and its curriculum, after-school programs, and teacher training program activities.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which is in partnership with the Department of Education to create the academies, projected $1,629,474 for the development of the program.

House Committees on Education and Higher Education passed the measure this afternoon, but mentioned concerns about DBEDT expending the appropriated funds and issues with No Child Left Behind.

The bill will be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Info Briefing - DOE financial system and accountability

What: Joint House and Senate Committees on Education - Update on the Department of Education Financial System and Accountability

When: Monday, December 3 - 2:00 p.m.

Where: State Capitol, Room 309

Lawmakers Budget $31M for UH-West Oahu Campus

Today, Rep. Sharon Har (District 40 - Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa) announced the inclusion of $31M in the House Budget for construction of a U.H.-West Oahu campus. Another $100M will be put in a special fund for land purchase. The long-awaited appropriation will fund phase one of the project, which will occupy 500 acres in Kapolei just makai of the H-1 Freeway.

The construction of a West Oahu campus has long been a desire of the University of Hawaii. U.H.-West Oahu, which is currently operating out of portable classrooms adjacent to Leeward Community College, offers degrees in the liberal arts and professional studies. It is the only four-year university on the leeward side. The proposed campus will have a small-town feel and will host a student population roughly the size of U.H.-Hilo.

Supporters of the project anticipate that the completed U.H.-West Oahu campus will help to relieve traffic congestion in West Oahu and overcrowding at the University's Manoa campus, and will further Kapolei's development as Oahu's "Second City."

An article in The Honolulu Advertiser has more on legislation and funding for projects in up-and-coming West Oahu: "West Oahu about to get a whole lot better."

Photo: U.H.-West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni, Speaker Calvin Say, Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell and other members of the House majority leadership were present to show their support for the project.