23rd Annual Shiro Amioka Lecture
Keiki First: the Foundation of a Sustainable Hawai‘i
The annual Shiro Amioka Lecture features prominent leaders in the field of education and school reform. The late Shiro Amioka, UHM professor of education, also served as chancellor of the UH Community Colleges, superintendent of the State Department of Education, and associate dean of UHM Summer Session. The guest lecturer is selected by the faculty of the Department of Educational Foundations, where Dr. Amioka taught philosophy of education.
Co-sponsored by Outreach College and the College of Education, with support from the Shiro Amioka Lecture Endowment Fund at the University of Hawai‘i Foundation.
Date: July 23, W, 7:00pm
Location: Yukiyoshi Rm, UHM Krauss Hall 012
Free and open to the general public
State-sponsored, publicly funded Pre-K systems have gained currency in many of our states across the nation. While Hawai‘i is looking at an early learning system, it is one of only 10 states which do not currently sponsor one. The pre-school movement has been fueled through the efforts of pioneer early childhood advocates, politicians, neuroscientists, early education researchers and economists. Much of the argument on the mainland and here in Hawai‘i for investing in early learning revolves around the potential “payoff” that results from quality early learning opportunities. That payoff is often defined in terms of productivity, an investment in “human capital” that promises big returns and underpins America's competitive position in the world market. This talk examines those claims and moves the conversation beyond them. It explores the unique characteristics of Hawai‘i and asks if the issue of expanding access to quality early learning is one of sustainability for Hawai‘i or a moral imperative.
Robert G. Peters has been Head of School at Hanahau‘oli School since 1982. Hanahu‘oli is a multi age school in the progressive education tradition. Peters is past president of the Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools and continues to serve on its board. Peters earned a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and has been an instructor in the UH College of Education and the UH-HAIS Masters Degree program in Private School Leadership. Currently a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Commission, Peters has also served on the board of the National Association of Independent Schools. He is currently serving as co-chair of the Early Childhood Legislative Task Force, whose report “Keiki First” was recently published.