EDUCATION

OPI last year began implementing a statewide student identification system that tracks each student with a number. The system should provide more accurate information on students’ public school careers, said Madalyn Quinlan, chief of staff for State Superintendent Linda McCulloch.

One of the primary aims of the Posse Program is to train these leaders of tomorrow.

"When you have a mass exodus of faculty leaving, that sort of jars students and tells them that something may be wrong here and their education is being compromised."

The new Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation will collect and analyze data on health trends, conduct evaluations of individual health programs’ effectiveness and make the data available to policymakers, researchers and the public. The institute will also offer fellowships to train junior researchers.

"The programs established under this bill are part of a long-term effort to develop the innovation capacity of Hawaii’s workforce, particularly the younger generation, in order to successfully compete in the global economy," said Lingle. "These initiatives, especially the STEM-related programs, focus on creating life-long learning and skill-building opportunities for students, teachers and our existing labor force."

If Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer were in charge of Washington state, shoring up education would be a higher priority even than easing the commute to Redmond.

Dennison said UM will be "supportive of whatever the community decides to do."