Fall 2011 Newsletter
A NEW COLLEGE AND CAREER READY DIPLOMA FOR ALL STUDENTS
Last month, the Hawai‘i Board of Education unanimously passed the new Board Policy 4540 to require a single college and career ready diploma for ALL public high school students, beginning with the Class of 2016. The rigor of this diploma, aligned to the nationally-adopted Common Core State Standards, will prepare Hawai‘i's students for postsecondary education as well as jobs, so that they can become our next generation of leaders. The focus of the diploma rests on standards and learning-based outcomes by our students (instead of seat/class time and Carnegie units). These standards will be measured by rigorous assessments, as developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, a multi-state led consortium working to develop the next generation of assessments that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards, of which Hawai‘i is a governing state. The adoption of this new diploma is an important step toward moving the State to achieve Hawai‘i P-20's goal of 55% of Hawai‘i's working age adults having a two or four year college degree by 2025. For more information on the specific requirements of the diploma, click here.
To view Hawai‘i P-20's latest issue brief in support of a single college and career ready diploma click here.
GEAR UP HAWAI‘I AWARDED $22 MILLION OVER SEVEN YEARS
Hawai‘i P-20 has been awarded a seven-year, $22 million grant to increase the number of low income middle and high school students statewide who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education through GEAR UP Hawai‘i, the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs from the U.S. Department of Education.
The federal GEAR UP program provides seven-year, matching grants to states and partnerships for services that improve access to and success in higher education at high-poverty middle and high schools statewide. GEAR UP Hawai‘i has been serving the state's low-income youth since 2000, preparing them for success in college. The award for 2011-2012 is $3.4 million. Click here for more details.
KEEPING HAWAI‘I STUDENTS ON TRACK
A new College and Career Access Portal for the State of Hawai‘i, "myfuturehawaii.org", which will help students and familes to explore and prepare for a college education, will be launching activity with pilot schools throughout the state in the next few months. Hawai‘i P-20 and the Workforce Development Council of DLIR have jointly assumed leadership of the development of the web portal, and together have worked very closely with the Department of Education and University of Hawai‘i to customize the portal to Hawai‘i's needs. The portal will use real-time student data to positively impact educational outcomes to drive comprehensive college, financial aid and career planning for students, parents, and counselors. It is envisioned to be a "one-stop-shop" to explore careers, submit college applications online and apply for financial aid.
SUMMER PROGRAMS SUPPORT NATIVE HAWAIIAN STUDENTS
This summer, Hawai‘i P-20 and the University of Hawai‘i partnered with Na Pua No‘eau and UH Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentoring Program to suport Hawai‘i students' participation in the Summer Institute at UH Manoa and UH Hilo in June and July. The two-week residential program gave students the opportunity to experience college life with content grounded in Hawaiian culture. A variety of course offerings were conducted during the two-week residential program. Instructional staff included University faculty, community resource people, and established experts or artists. Programs in the traditional academics, sciences, visual arts, leadership and Hawaiian culture were provided to students.
8TH AND 9TH GRADE STUDENTS FROM LEEWARD COAST EXPLORE COLLEGE
More than 300 Leeward Oahu students gathered on the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa campus this summer to experience college life. The first-time initiative, funded through Hawai‘i P-20 and the Hawai‘i College Access Challenge Grant program was created to help disadvantaged students realize that college is within their reach. About a third of the students - ninth graders from Nanakuli High and eighth graders from Waianae Intermediate were able to explore campus life including staying at the dorms. The week long program ended with a ceremony which handed students UH certificates of acceptance, guaranteeing them a spot at UH Mānoa, as long as they complete all the admission requirements.
NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR HAWAI‘I'S EARLY LEARNING COMMUNITY
In August, the federal Department of Education announced a new Race to the Top Early Learning Grant focused on improving early learning and development of programs for young children by supporting the State's efforts to (1) increase the number and percentage of low-income and disadvantaged children in each age group of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers who are enrolled in high-quality learning programs; (2) design and implement an integrated system of high-quality early learning programs and services; (3) ensure that any use of assessments comforms with the recommendations of the National Reserach Council's reports on early childhood.
Hawai‘i P-20 is working with a team led by the Governor's Early Childhood Coordinator to submit a successful proposal, due in October. A total of $500 million in funds will be awarded among winning states.