Hawaii shares schools’ progress at symposium

The state Department of Education discussed its school turnaround work and recent gains in student test scores last week at a national conference.

"School Turnaround: Building and Sustaining Success," a symposium organized by the U.S. Department of Education, was held Monday and Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

DOE Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe attended the conference to talk about ongoing efforts to boost performance at Hawaii’s low-performing schools.

All seven of Hawaii’s public schools that have received federal School Improvement Grant funds saw overall gains in reading or math proficiency on the Hawaii State Assessment last school year.

Nozoe said the SIG results "are early indicators that Hawaii’s innovative reforms are gaining traction and creating better learning environments for improved student achievement."

Nozoe also said he was happy to hear different perspectives on school improvement, and to share Hawaii’s approaches to boosting student achievement.

"Coming to something like this is very informative," he said. "You get 40-plus versions on how they’re doing it. The validation is whether or not we’re getting student results."

The Hawaii schools that have received SIG grants are: Kau High & Pahala Elementary, Keonepoko Elementary, Naalehu Elementary, Hilo Intermediate, Kamaile Academy (a public charter school), Hauula Elementary and the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind.

The U.S. education department has provided more than $4 billion to fund School Improvement Grants to more than 1,300 schools nationwide.

To date, Hawaii has received about $14.4 million in SIG funding.