Just for the Kids small grant projects are currently well underway in 20 public schools throughout the islands. At a May 9, 2007 convening hosted by the Foundation, grantees networked, shared projects and ideas, and encouraged one another to achieve their goals of raising student achievement through an improved understanding of student assessment data and demographic data.
Two area complexes, Oahu’s Kapolei complex and Kauai’s Central Kauai complex coordinated their efforts and applied for funding for multiple schools. They were able to coordinate their academic and financial planning across grade levels, and conduct a complex-wide needs assessment that they can continue to monitor together. Many schools contracted the consulting company SchoolRise to help them with data analysis and standards-based reform plans.
The school principals present at the meeting inspired one another and the Foundation staff with their candid stories of their strengths and challenges. As the principals of grantee schools demonstrated during the convening, transformational leadership requires vision, support, capacity building and collaboration. Their insights and willingness to share their work will help to inform and improve the Foundation’s public education grantmaking.
Barbers Point Elementary |
SchoolRise Hawaii will conduct a needs assessment of this school, collecting data about the school’s progress, strengths and weaknesses. This needs assessment will lead to a strong, data-based Academic and Financial plan, with an emphasis on improved student learning in math. |
Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary |
As one of five Kauai schools applying together as a complex, Chiefess Kapiolani Elementary will participate in a comprehensive effort to improve service to students throughout the K-12 system. Together with SchoolRise Hawaii, the complex will investigate nine dimensions that impact student achievement, and increase teachers’ knowledge of best practices. Participating schools and SchoolRise will use the JFTK data and self-audit tool, together with interviews and assessments to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. |
Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary |
As one of five Kauai schools applying together as a complex, Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary will participate in a comprehensive effort to improve service to students throughout the K-12 system. Together with SchoolRise Hawaii, the complex will investigate nine dimensions that impact student achievement, and increase teachers’ knowledge of best practices. Participating schools and SchoolRise will use the JFTK data and self-audit tool, together with interviews and assessments to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. |
Hahaione Elementary |
Hahaione students have, as a whole, attained proficiency in reading and math, however the English-Language Learners and special education students are not yet meeting statewide benchmarks for proficiency. This school aims to close the achievement gaps for these groups by undergoing a Standards-Based Change Process and make whole school decisions and grade level curricular decisions based on student strengths and needs. |
Haleiwa Elementary |
Haleiwa Elementary will study and implement JFTK best practices according to student and teacher needs, and hold two parent nights to link school efforts with home efforts. On-site math and reading coaches will ensure implementation of new practices and strategies. |
Kapolei Elementary |
Kapolei Elementary will engage administrators, teachers, and parents in a school-wide analysis that will be paired with data collection from JFTK, DOE databases, school documents, and online information to shape a responsive Academic and Financial Plan. The Kapolei Complex schools applied together and will work with SchoolRise to leverage their efforts by working together. |
Kapolei High |
Kapolei High will conduct data analysis and interviews to improve teachers’ professional knowledge and student learning in writing. The Kapolei Complex schools applied together and will work with SchoolRise to leverage their efforts by working together. |
Kapolei Middle |
This school will use data analysis to inform the schools’ Academic and Financial Plan, improve teachers’ professional knowledge and aim for improved student learning in reading. The Kapolei Complex schools applied together and will work with SchoolRise to leverage their efforts by working together. |
King Kaumaualii Elementary |
As one of five Kauai schools applying together as a complex, King Kaumaualii will participated in a comprehensive effort to improve service to students throughout the K-12 system. Together with SchoolRise Hawaii, the complex will investigate nine dimensions that impact student achievement, and increase teachers’ knowledge of best practices. Participating schools and SchoolRise will use the JFTK data and self-audit tool, together with interviews and assessments to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. |
Kipapa Elementary |
Kipapa Elementary will work with SchoolRise Hawaii to conduct data collection and analysis via JFTK, DOE databases, interviews and other key information, and will subsequently create a strong, data-based Academic and Financial Plan. |
Koloa Elementary |
As one of five Kauai schools applying together as a complex, Koloa Elementary will participate in a comprehensive effort to improve service to students throughout the K-12 system. Together with SchoolRise Hawaii, the complex will investigate nine dimensions that impact student achievement, and increase teachers’ knowledge of best practices. Participating schools and SchoolRise will use the JFTK data and self-audit tool, together with interviews and assessments to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement. |
Makakilo Elementary |
Makakilo Elementary will involve school administrators, 35 teachers, district support staff, and parents in a needs assessment driven by DOE and JFTK data with the aim of creating a well-grounded Academic and Financial Plan that will help to improve student achievement and assist the school with standards-based education. The Kapolei Complex schools applied together and will work with SchoolRise to leverage their efforts by working together. |
Mauka Lani Elementary |
Maukalani Elementary will address the need for data about school progress, strengths, and weaknesses to serve as the basis for a sound Academic and Financial Plan. SchoolRise Hawaii will conduct data collection and a needs assessment to facilitate this process, and create next steps for standards-based education aimed at improving student achievement in writing and math. |
Mililani Uka Elementary |
Mililani Uka Elementary will employ JFTK data and the Self Audit Tool to identify areas of strength and weakness and generate a report that can provide the basis for a data driven Academic and Financial plan. The school’s immediate goal is to increase student achievement in math. Teachers will increase best practices and use the plan to guide them in achieving their school goal of total math literacy. |
Princess Victoria Ka’iulani Elementary |
This school will use JFTK best practices information to network with similar schools and enhance and increase professional development opportunities that will help administrators and teachers to improve student achievement in math and reading comprehension. |
Sunset Beach Elementary |
Sunset Beach Elementary School has done initial analysis on the JFTK website and found that while the school has met AYP consistently, students are not performing as well in mathematics as other comparable schools. There is a significant achievement gap in grades 3 through 6 and the school aims to involve parents and teachers in a targeted math enrichment program. |
Waiakeawaena Elementary |
This school aims to improve student achievement in reading schoolwide by conducting a needs assessment to examine curriculum, resources and data that will produce targeted recommendations for improving instruction, delivery, and student ability. SchoolRise Hawaii will assist with the needs assessment, and Waiakeawaena will use the JFTK self audit tool to continually reflect on the development and progress of the schools’ areas of strength and areas needing improvement. |
Waialua High & Intermediate |
This school will work with SchoolRise Hawaii to conduct a comprehensive data analysis to inform the school’s Academic and Financial Plan and improve teacher’s professional knowledge and student leaning in reading and writing. |
Waihe`e School |
Waihe`e will conduct a needs assessment based on the data from the JFTK website together with the school’s formative and summative assessments. With assistance from SchoolRise, the school hopes to specifically raise the reading and math achievement of disadvantaged students. |
Wailupe Valley Elementary |
Wailupe Valley seeks to establish a practice of data-driven decision making for continual improvement. This project, in consultation with SchoolRise Hawaii, will help produce a strong, data-based Academic and Financial plan, adjusted to increase teachers’ knowledge of best practices and improve student achievement. |