Common Core critics draw lesson from VA woes

If you despise the high-stakes testing associated with the Common Core, a two-year delay in fully implementing the national academic standards is not likely to change your mind.

The Gates Foundation spurred the education reform, and Hawaii is among 45 states that initially signed on. Amid mounting pushback from teachers unions and others, though, the foundation is urging school districts to postpone linking students’ test results with teacher raises. Hawaii’s Department of Education is considering this advice, but notes that Common Core implementation has been less rocky here than elsewhere because of Hawaii’s unique, single statewide school district.

Still, the pay-for-performance scandal engulfing the Veterans Health Administration provides fresh ammunition for Common Core critics who argue that rewarding teachers for students’ high test scores will never be the right way to go, even after the high standards are firmly in place.

Selling when you don’t want to sometimes necessary

That ticking is the sound of a time bomb that could explode the cost and the timetable for completion of the 20-mile elevated rail project.

In order to keep to that timetable — federal approval assumes a 2019 end date — the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will need to negotiate the purchase of 146 properties along the route by the end of the year. That’s six months, instead of the 18 HART thought it had.

Knowing what deadline pressure the city’s under arguably gives leverage to property owners to get a better deal. Of course, this may be why HART lets it be known it’s willing to go through condemnation. Owners trying to drive a hard bargain may not fare as well in court.

Whoever wins this game, it’s likely the taxpayers will be out big bucks.