School’s successes shine despite challenges

Public education is a particularly hot topic these days and rightly so — it can have the power to propel our keiki and communities to a brighter future.

Very many of us share a belief that our keiki should be our state’s top priority. No doubt, we still have a long road ahead of us toward a day when all kids are accessing an excellent education; however, while we focus attention on the road ahead, we must also recognize and celebrate the growth that is happening and made possible by talented, passionate people who share this belief and vision for all keiki.

The Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) is implementing really smart research-based practices and we are beginning to see indicators of progress. In August, the DOE released the first year of school report cards under a new school performance and accountability system — STRIVE HI — that takes a more comprehensive snapshot of our schools through the lens of academic achievement, student growth, the achievement gap between high need students and non-high need students, and college and career readiness.

The results showed that Hawaii’s public schools have narrowed the achievement gap by 12 percent over the past two years. The on-time graduation rate, college enrollment rate and proficiency rates are all on the rise.

Administrators are also raising the bar. This fall, King Intermediate School principal Sheena Alaiasa became the first Hawaii educator to be named National Middle Level Principal of the Year by MetLife and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. In September, Blanche Pope Elementary, Nuuanu Elementary and Waikiki Elementary schools were named 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools for their outstanding performance and improvement efforts.

Day in and day out, in classrooms all across Hawaii, gifted and dedicated people are making a difference.

In my role as executive director of Teach For America-Hawaii for the last six years, I’ve seen first-hand what is possible when dedicated teachers and visionary school leaders work toward a shared vision of educational equity.

At Wheeler Middle School, for example, a school we’ve partnered with since 2007, math proficiency has risen from 27 percent (in 2006-07) to 61 percent last year. On Hawaii island, Konawaena Elementary was one of nine Title I schools to make the DOE’s "recognition" list, and the Kau-Keeau-Pahoa Complex continues to demonstrate measurable student growth, notwithstanding unique barriers and challenges of a rural community serving a large number of disadvantaged children.

In the charter landscape, schools like Na Wai Ola (Waters of Life) are also seeing outstanding proficiency rates and growth, while meeting the needs of its students and families.

Yes, there is still much work to be done and we must continue to innovate and create smart solutions that focus on our students and communities.

But Hawaii has made significant strides, thanks to the hard and ongoing work of committed educators and community advocates. We must celebrate the encouraging signs of growth and embrace the lessons that emerge as together we push toward transformational change in our public schools.