Are Hawaii’s high schools preparing students for college? Not adequately, according to a report released this week, which found that nearly 40 percent of state public high school graduates who enrolled in the University of Hawaii system in 2009 had to take remedial English and math classes—essentially relearning things they should have already been taught.
The picture on Maui is no rosier. Baldwin (35 percent remedial math, 30 percent remedial English) and King K. (41 percent remedial math, 31 percent remedial English) were close to the state average. Meanwhile, at Maui High a whopping 48 percent of grads were lagging in both subjects, according to the figures from Hawaii P-20.
High schools shouldn’t shoulder all the blame; education is a cumulative process and knowledge gaps only widen with time. But the numbers underscore a fact that’s already clear to most teachers, parents and casual observers: our schools—and our keiki—need help.
Tags: Baldwin High School, Hawaii P-20, Hawaii Public Schools, King K, Maui High School, University of Hawaii
1 Comment
May 26, 2012
I tutor at UHMC developmental math lab and YES, our Keikis need help! These programs start with skills that should be aquired in elementary school. Our program is self-paced and students aren’t allowed to advance until they can pass the quiz with 70% and 90% on all homework. Every homework excercise can be done over and over until they “get it”. The quizzes can be retaken as many times as necessary.
You’re so right that these skills build upon each other and without the foundation skills, fractions, multiplication, and even simple addition and subtraction, it is no wonder that 30-50% of our keikis can’t understand algebraic concepts.
I don’t understand how they are passed through highschool without basic multiplication knowledge? It’s fine to use technology, such as calculators, but only after the basic skills are aquired. These are bright students that don’t have the skills necessary to advance in math, so constantly fall farther and farther behind.