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During the week, I’m sharing each day’s top education stories. For a quick overview of local, national and international education issues, keep reading. Noteworthy today: Hawaii education board chairman responds to New York Times editorial that criticized Furlough Fridays, Race to the Top has provoked state education bills nationwide and a group in Keanae makes plans for a new charter school.

• The New York Times published over the weekend from Hawaii State Board of Education Chairman Garrett Toguchi. The letter was a response to last week’s New York Times editorial about Hawaii’s Furlough Fridays situation and outlines cost-saving measures the board implemented before resorting to school furlough days.

• Pres. Barack Obama’s federal competition has resulted in for new education legislation in many states, The New York Times reported yesterday. Most of the legislation centers on allowing for more charter schools, increasing teacher accountability and paying teachers based on their performance.

• A group is working to set up a charter school in Keanae, .

• Education and creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson as a means to improving student achievement in a column for CNN.com today. Such methods are failing, he wrote.

• The Hawaii Department of Education announced its .

• San Jose’s Unified school district superintendent is , The San Jose Mercury reported today. Noteworthy achievements during his tenure include getting teachers to work longer hours despite financial crises, maintaining a solid relationship with the teachers union and improving student achievement district-wide.

• The Philippines will integrate into its high school curriculum beginning this summer, BusinessMirror reported today.

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