Hawaii to stop using online program after parent complaints

HONOLULU — Hawaii’s public schools will stop using a distance learning program after parents complained about racist and sexist content.

The state Department of Education completed a review of Acellus Learning Accelerator and reviewers recommended discontinuing its use as a primary curriculum resource “due to its inconsistency in quality and rigor,” Superintendent Christina Kishimoto said in a letter to parents on Monday.

The department “recognizes the curriculum does contain content that reviewers found acceptable and aligned to standards, and will be working with schools that use Acellus to identify and leverage such content, as appropriate,” the letter said.

Acellus representatives didn’t return phone messages from The Associated Press Monday and Tuesday.

Schools across the nation use Acellus, according to the Missouri-based company.

Parental complaints have prompted schools in other states to drop the program.

“During the summer months, in an effort to respond quickly, Acellus was offered to families reluctant to physically send their child to school when the school year opened,” Kishimoto’s letter said.

Complaints included misspelling and mispronunciation of Queen Lili‘uokalani — the last monarch to rule the Hawaiian Kingdom — and racist depictions of Black Americans and Islamophobic stereotypes. Some have also complained the program lacks rigor.

School officials are working on a transition plan, Kishimoto’s letter said: “It is clear this issue has caused disruption, and for that we apologize.”

The school board is scheduled to consider this week a recommendation by board Chairperson Catherine Payne that Acellus be phased out by the end of the school year.