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Just Another School Day– Or Not

Just my two cents on the education furloughs in Hawaii. This has been a source of controversy here, and I thought as a high school student, I’d share my thoughts.

As for the actual impacts on learning of these furloughs, I myself do not seeing that as being too much of a problem. I myself, as a student find my teachers rather than stagnating and doing nothing about this, increasing the pace at which class goes as well as the work load. I feel as if I still learn a substantial amount in all of my classes and that if there were no furloughs at all we’d still be learning the exact same things. The important thing is preparation. You have to go into your classes with the mindset of learning something and not goofing off. So many of my friends and classmates around me LOVE the furloughs simply for the fact that they don’t have to go to school. And yet, they still go into classes with the intent to learn (myself included). Surprisingly, others HATE the furloughs, as they do believe that they’d get a lower education. Yet, these people are the same people who consistently slack off in class and tend to goof off. Some even attended a protest against the furloughs, but can’t attend an after-school study session. These are the kids that would most likely be affected by the furloughs. One upside of the furloughs is that they make all of our students all that more determined to do better in school and work harder. However, as a collective whole you shouldn’t have to worry about kids learning any less than they would otherwise, whether it be a lot or more.  However, it is true that we as a state, do rank extremely low in the national standings, but where we’re concerned, our students will not be learning any more or any less. Added work and nudging from our teachers as well as the (newly created) open-mindedness of our students to learn, especially now with the furloughs will make sure of that.

In conclusion, while some people may protest the furloughs, nothing will happen until either the lawmakers step in to do anything, spurred on the by the public, or if lawsuits stop the furloughs by declaring them unlawful. In the meantime, we’ve gone through two furloughs so far, and I don’t think much has been affected. Furloughs tomorrow, followed by a slew of holidays, and planning and collaboration days, resulting in a three day weekend and a three day weekday (at the time of this article). How enlightening… In the meantime, I’d like a quarter cup of math supplements mixed with some fresh english boosters, thank you very much. On the serious side however, our education isn’t going anywhere as long as we’re going to fight for and work hard for it. The question is where will the future take us, as the furloughs are slated for two years. One can only hope.

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  1. shawn

    On November 19, 2009 at 4:37 am


    I like what you have to say on this- however- I’m doing rather normally just like any other school year myself, a few bad grades excluded. Classes seem to be the same, albeit the new schedule- they’ve switched our periods around- the 1234-then 5612 thing. Can’t say I need English boosters, but I DO need some hot and fresh Alg 2 help. (They’re rather small in number these days, tutors, I guess the brewing and stewing storm of furloughs, layoff, and pay cuts scared them off.

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