TEACHER PERFORMANCE

TESTS DON'T REFLECT ALL MEASURES OF LEARNING

Gregory Sheindlin's idea (Aug. 9) that teachers be paid based on test performance is nonsense.

I have taught children with disabilities in Hawai'i's public schools for 25 years. Presently I teach preschoolers. What test should they take? Remember, their learning is tied to social development. Tests don't measure whether a child expresses emotions well, demonstrates responsibility or takes turns. How can you tell I am effective? See the learning environment my team and I created, and observe how we interact with children.

Yet I am not unique. Many teachers work in contexts wherein it's impossible to rely solely on "performance statistics" to determine their worth.

I would suggest that Mr. Sheindlin visit public schools and see what is expected of teachers and how they perform under circumstances that are hardly optimal. Schools are always seeking volunteers. How about it, Mr. Sheindlin?

SENATE RACE

DEMOCRATIC PARTY RISKS ALIENATING VOTERS

As a 35-year Hawai'i resident, current property owner and UH graduate working on the Mainland, I want to offer another perspective on Case/Akaka race.

Although we have to be away from Hawai'i for family and economic reasons, we look upon Hawai'i as our true home and care about the kind of place it will be when we return. I started my political life in Honolulu in the 1960s, when John Burns was governor, and Dan Inouye, Spark Matsunaga and Patsy Mink were in the congressional delegation. They represented the finest values to which our newly empowered Democratic Party could aspire. Sadly, our party changed. Instead of striving to uphold our values, we have focused on perpetuating a self-serving power base.

Achieving a Democratic majority in the Senate is more important now than it has been in many years. Hawai'i's Democratic leadership, by blindly closing ranks behind an incumbent, is further alienating our voters and could be denying our nation an opportunity to move away from the present course of action.

While I support Ed Case, I don't expect others to follow until they have had an opportunity to compare his views to Senator Akaka's. The time has come for the Democratic Party of Hawai'i to foster the spirited debate that made it a great institution during the last half of the 20th century so it can remain vital into the 21st century. The Democratic leadership should not take sides until the primary election is held. It should encourage the two candidates to debate the important issues we face in Hawai'i, the nation and the world.

LEASES

DLNR SHOULD ESTABLISH KOKE'E LOTTERY SYSTEM

The DLNR has decided it wants to open up access to the cabins at Koke'e State Park, apparently in a bidding process.

Many have complained that will favor the wealthy, probably correctly so.

Rather than redistributing leases through a bidding process, I suggest that a lottery system be used. All persons (should be residents) interested would be allowed to apply (one applicant per family).

The DLNR should establish a fair lease rate that would allow maximum participation. The DLNR should also consider entering into shorter leases. As for the current lessees, they need to comply with the terms of their lease.

'KING AND I'

TAKE THEATER REVIEWS WITH A GRAIN OF SALT

I was amused by Gary Bliss' Aug. 5 response to another reader's "charlatan" characterization of Joseph Rozmiarek's review of "The King and I."

We chose not to attend after reading the critic's review. How many others made the same decision? We missed out on great music and a wonderful performance.

In the future, my advice is to take the review with a grain of salt and remember that you get what you pay for, in this case the cost of a copy of The Honolulu Advertiser.

MICHELLE WIE

POOR EXCUSE TO BLAME CADDY FOR MISTAKES

I just read that Michelle Wie's agent, Ross Berlin, fired her caddy, Greg Johnson, after her poor performance and rules infraction at the British Women's Open.

Sure, blame all your transgressions on your caddy. He has only been on her bag for most of her fantastic finishes as well.

I understand that pro golf is a business, but shouldn't a professional golfer know the rules? There is a rules official that accompanies every group of golfers, so why not use them if there is a rule question?

While the majority of us here in the Islands love Michelle and are rooting for her like crazy to finish high and win some tournaments, I think it's a poor excuse to keep blaming your caddy for mistakes.

This is a case of Dad and Mom making decisions for their daughter that Michelle has to live with. And to be so brash as to not even give Mr. Johnson the news themselves? Where is the aloha there? So now Michelle has to get used to another caddy on her bag, and the caddy to her. Will this delay her success on the tour? Probably.