We are Mediocre!!

I know it doesn't sound like anything to boast about, but here in Hawaii, the public schools are bragging about "Adequate Yearly Progress" (AYP). There is a big sign on the front fence of one of the elementary schools stating "We Made AYP!!!"

The celebration of mediocrity in schools is what has driven so many families here to private schools (ka-ching!) and homeschooling (not exactly free). It is sad, because according to the Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii spends an average $9876 per student to be mediocre. Couple that with the latest info on the public schools from Honolulu Magazine, and you'll see that even on a survey of satisfaction and success, the surveyors had to grade on a curve in order to get the majority of schools to pass! The highest score was Momilani elementary at 89.40%, and thus that was an A+. The lowest score was a tie between Aiea Intermediate and Hale Kula with 63.68% each. Those were given grades of C+. For the record, in this house, an 89% is a B and a 63% is an F.

The quotes from school officials are truly insane, but I do encourage you to read the article. My favorite is this, "We've raised the bar, and the kids have met the expecatition."