Native Hawaiian Education Reauthorization

The Native Hawaiian Education Act (NHEA) seeks to develop innovative educational programs to assist Native Hawaiians. The Department of Education (Education) administers NHEA and has provided grants for a wide range of activities. Education is authorized to establish a Native Hawaiian Education Council and seven island councils to help implement NHEA. To inform reauthorization, GAO was asked to analyze (1) what is known about NHEA's impact on Native Hawaiian education, (2) Education's efforts to oversee NHEA grants, and (3) the extent to which Education and the Native Hawaiian councils have fulfilled their roles and responsibilities. To do this, GAO reviewed federal laws and regulations and departmental documents, and interviewed Education officials, council members, grantees, and experts in Native Hawaiian education.

These transcripts provide testimony regarding the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. The first part of the transcripts presents testimony from members of national educational associations urging legislators to show a stronger commitment to helping education professionals improve their skills and to adopt a new research project to improve learning for special needs children. The major portion of the transcripts contains statements from school administrators, other experts from educational agencies and delivery systems, and legislators concerning: (1) the role of ESEA programs in school reform and the improvement of K-12 education; (2) the reauthorization and improvement of Chapters 1 and 2; (3) the Dwight D. Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Education program and techniques of successfully integrating technology into schools; (4) the need for coordinated education, health, and social services as a means of better serving young people; (5) recommendations for improving women's equity in education; and (6) issues related to the education programs for Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians. (SM)

This hearing, one in a series, on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, was held on Maui, Hawaii, to hear public testimony from educators, students, parents and members of the public at large. The first panel consisted of professionals and administrators from local community colleges addressing the needs, clientele, and mission of local community colleges; regulations; processing; and requirements surrounding the administration of federal financial aid. A second panel included Michael Luxton, Alvin Tagmori, Wallette Pellegrino, and Lois Greenwood-Audant, all of Maui Community College, with Rose Pfund of the University of Hawaii speaking on such issues as the continued need for and benefits of the Higher Education Act for low income individuals, cooperative education under Title VIII, the Visitor Industry Training and Education Center, and Sea Grant Programs. The final panel included Steven Miller of the Associated Students of the University of Hawaii; Jim Smith, citizen; Kelly VanBlarcom, Sheila Bruening, and Shelly Hao, students from Maui Community College; and Priscilla Mikell, a counselor. Their testimony addressed concerns of non-traditional students including their financial needs and the politics of education. Also included are additional prepared statements as well as relevant published material and correspondence. (JB)