Civil Beat Staff

Megan Tagami

Megan Tagami is a reporter covering education for Honolulu Civil Beat.

Megan earned her degree in political science and public affairs from UCLA, where she wrote for the school paper, the Daily Bruin.

Megan previously interned for the Wall Street Journal and CalMatters, covering K-12 and higher education. She also was an intern for Civil Beat.

Megan was born and raised in Honolulu. In her free time, she is out looking for a good cup of coffee or finding new hiking trails with her cousin.

Frequent Turnover At Hawaii’s Education Board Is Weakening School Oversight Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Frequent Turnover At Hawaii’s Education Board Is Weakening School Oversight

A lack of institutional knowledge among board members and staff is limiting the BOE's effectiveness and leaving it open to legislative interference, education advocates say.

Early College Can Be ‘Game-Changing’ But Many Students In Hawaii Are Missing Out Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Early College Can Be ‘Game-Changing’ But Many Students In Hawaii Are Missing Out

Opportunities for high schoolers to earn college credit have been growing in popularity, but Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students are participating at lower rates.

How Much Should People Know About A School’s Safety Plan? Officials Are Reluctant To Reveal Too Much Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

How Much Should People Know About A School’s Safety Plan? Officials Are Reluctant To Reveal Too Much

The Department of Education is at odds with the teachers union and some Lahaina parents over how much information the public should have access to when it comes to safety plans.

Hawaii Board Of Education To Get New Leader For The Third Time In 2 Years David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Hawaii Board Of Education To Get New Leader For The Third Time In 2 Years

The Senate is being asked to confirm seven picks for the 11-member board, including a member nominated last year who has yet to get a confirmation hearing.

Free Summer School Programs In Hawaii Face Uncertain Future Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2020

Free Summer School Programs In Hawaii Face Uncertain Future

As federal coronavirus funding expires, the Hawaii Department of Education must make the case for continued investments in summer learning.

Teacher Harassment Bill Dies In Senate Committee David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Teacher Harassment Bill Dies In Senate Committee

Supporters of the bill criticized the Department of Education's plan to better define acceptable parent behavior in schools moving forward.

How Far Is Too Far? Parents Push The Limits Of Harassment In Hawaii Schools Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

How Far Is Too Far? Parents Push The Limits Of Harassment In Hawaii Schools

As parent frustration and aggression escalates in schools, the Hawaii Department of Education grapples with how to keep employees safe while respecting families' rights.

Some Abusive Parents Homeschool Their Kids. Should Hawaii Do More To Screen Them? David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024

Some Abusive Parents Homeschool Their Kids. Should Hawaii Do More To Screen Them?

After a recent fatal abuse case involving a homeschooled child, some are calling for stronger regulations.

DOE Says It Can Step Up Spending To Save Construction Projects Cory Lum/Civil Beat

DOE Says It Can Step Up Spending To Save Construction Projects

The department has struggled to use funding for capital improvement projects over the past several years. Now it has a dramatic proposal for catching up.