Partnerships help Hawaii’s after-school programs

Hawaii lands in the Top 10 for providing after-school programs for students, according to a national study by the Afterschool Alliance. That 89 percent of Hawaii parents surveyed are satisfied with the programs reflects well on the community partnerships the Department of Education has forged. Two of the main offerings are the A+ program, a mainstay for elementary-age children, and the newer REACH program for middle-schoolers. These kinds of public-private initiatives help our students thrive, and should be encouraged.