HONOLULU (AP) — A proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to partner with private preschools could hurt public schools, according to the state teacher’s union. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — A proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state
HONOLULU (AP) — A proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the state to partner with private preschools could hurt public schools, according to the state teacher’s union.
The Hawaii State Teachers Association opposes the measure and says preschool children would be best served by preschools within community public schools.
“Constitutional amendment No. 4 would take money away from the public schools and benefit private preschools,” said HSTA President Wil Okabe. “We feel that because the infrastructure is in place — there is a public school in every community — and we have certified and trained teachers, we can do it. Our No. 1 issue is equity and accessibility — that no kids be left behind.”
The measure is one of five proposed constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The Good Beginnings Alliance-Children’s Action Network, a nonprofit advocate, says approval would make preschool more widely available, especially for low-income families. Supporters say a mixed private and public delivery system is the most effective way to expand capacity.
Hawaii is one of 10 states without state-funded universal preschool. It’s the only state that prohibits public funds from benefiting private educational institutions.
Just half of Hawaii’s 3- and 4-year-olds enter kindergarten with a preschool education.
The union contends tuition subsidies will not cover all of the cost for needy families.
“People might perceive that if this amendment passes that the cost will be 100 percent covered,” Okabe said. “This will not cover the full cost and will prevent the neediest families from having equal access to preschool.”
GG Weisenfeld, director of the Executive Office on Early Learning, said it will depend on the level of funding.
“When the state contracts with a provider, the contract services might pay for the whole thing, or may not,” she said.
Many private preschools have religious affiliations and union officials say there’s a question of separation of church and state, according to the union. Weisenfeld disagrees.
“With state funds, there are certain things you cannot do, like purchase religious materials or implement a religious curriculum,” she said.
A majority of voters would have to approve the amendment for it to pass. If it fails, Weisenfeld said, expansion of preschools will take far longer.
