HAWAI‘I CONTINUES RACING TO THE TOP
On June 1, Hawai‘i, along with 35 other states and the District of Columbia, submitted a second Race to the Top application to the U.S. Department of Education. The Race is a federal initiative to encourage and reward States that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform. Hawai‘i is seeking $75 million to support its Common Education Agenda—shared targets for increasing academic rigor and achievement from early childhood education through lifelong learning.
The state’s application incorporates Hawai‘i P-20’s goal of 55% of working age adults having a 2 or 4 year college degree by 2025 and 100% being career and college ready. The Race application goals are to increase student achievement, ensure that graduates are career and college ready, increase college enrollment, and close gaps in outcomes among student groups. The state has made significant strides in moving forward on its four key areas:
- Align statewide curriculum with rigorous standards and assessments.
In June, the Hawai‘i Board of Education adopted internationally benchmarked Common Core State Standards in literacy and mathematics. The standards establish clear and consistent goals for learning that will prepare Hawai‘i's children for success in college and work.
- Use real-time achievement data to measure progress and improve instruction.
Hawai‘i Department of Education is deploying the Data for School Improvement Plan which will provide educators with immediate feedback about student learning. Hawai‘i P-20 is working with other state agencies to develop a data system to track students and educational outcomes over time to inform planning at student, teacher, school and system levels.
- Ensure great leaders and teachers in every school and classroom.
Hawai‘i is accelerating its efforts to use student learning gains and observation of teacher practice in the annual evaluation for teachers, measure principal performance based on school-wide student learning, provide incentives for effective and exemplary teachers and principals to work in high-needs schools, and expand support for new teachers and veterans.
- Turn around low-performing schools.
Hawai‘i will provide intensive support to identified struggling schools and 11,000 students within the Zones of School Innovation plan.
Hawai‘i's Race plan has tremendous community support including the Board of Education, community organizations, elected officials, and unions. The Hawai‘i Department of Education is committed to implementing these bold reforms that will serve our children - and our state - for years to come.
Hawai‘i's application and summaries for the application are available on-line: Hawai‘i RTTT Application
Hawai‘i P-20 Resolution in Support
EARLY CHILDHOOD PK-3 GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
To provide professional development opportunities for educators of young children, starting this fall, Hawai‘i P-20 will provide tuition assistance to eleven full-time teachers in Hawai‘i P-3's Demonstration Project sites (elementary schools and partnering early childhood programs in the Farrington and Nanakuli-Waianae Complexes) to earn an Early Childhood PK-3 Graduate Certificate. "The PK-3 Graduate Certificate is the result of an exciting collaboration between Hawai‘i P-20 and the Department of Curriculum Studies at the College of Education at UH Manoa," says Hugh Dunn, Hawai‘i P-20's Director of Early Learning Programs. "It is a wonderful opportunity to give educators the necessary the skills and training to teach our youngest learners."
OVER 6,000 STUDENTS STEP UP FOR CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS
The Step Up Campaign is a program to encourage Hawai‘i's students to "Step Up" to the challenge of being career and college ready upon high school graduation as well as to generate community action in support of students' education. This past year, over 6,000 public school students from the Classes of 2013 and 2014 have "stepped up" to pledge to earn the Board of Education's Step Up (Recognition) Diploma, a more rigorous diploma designed to prepare high school graduates with the skills and knowledge for successful entry into college or the workforce. Congratuations to the following schools who pledged 50% or more of its 8th or 9th grade class: Anuenue, Central, Hana, Kalanianaole, Kahuku, Kailua, Kaiser, Ke Kula Ehunuikaimalino, Hana, Laupahoehoe, Mililani, Molokai, Nanakuli, Pahoa, Paauilo, Roosevelt, and Washington, To see a complete listing click here.
The Step Up Campaign also received commitment from over 100 businesses and community organizations to support its efforts statewide. Hawai‘i National Bank and ProService Hawai‘i sent out payroll stuffers to over 13,000 of their employees and customers. Bank of Hawaii placed articles on their company intranet and employee newsletter. The After School All Stars Program encouraged all their 8th grade participants to take the Step Up Pledge. Hawai‘i P-20 is thankful for the support given by its partners in promoting the importance of career and college readiness. Together, we can make a difference!
To see a listing of partners, click here. If you are interested in becoming a Step Up partner, please contact Lesli Yogi at lyogi@hawaii.edu.
HAWAI‘I P-20 IN THE NEWS
"Diplomas Might Get Harder to Earn" Star Advertiser, 7/14/10
"College Education Grows More Crucial" Star Advertiser, 7/6/10