• The top three drivers of job satisfaction were compensation, public respect and a more collaborative culture.
• The biggest perceived drivers of effectiveness were smaller class size, more planning time with peers and better and more timely data on how their classes were doing.

In addition:

Promising news:

• 98% were proud to be a teacher;
• 91% were at least somewhat satisfied with their career choice to teach;
• 82% were at least somewhat satisfied with their principal’s support;
• 88% were somewhat or very satisfied with the relationship they have with parents;
• 97% felt satisfied with their relationship with their peers.

Concerning news:

• New and more experienced teachers were much happier than mid-career teachers;
• 29% felt less satisfied with their career choice than in previous years;
• 38% disagreed when asked whether HSTA leadership represented their views;
• 16% disagreed with or did not understand their principal’s strategic vision.

Executive Summary

Polling Data

Polling Questions

HE‘E Coalition Launch Presentation January 2011 (PDF, 1.5MB)

Hui for Excellence in Education (HE‘E) Launch at State Capitol: Governor Addresses Members

Education coalition unites reform backers

From other outlets:

Hawaii Tribune Herald

Hawaii Reporter

Civil Beat

Abercrombie can be choosy when it comes to picking BOE,  November 10, 2010

Voters favor appointed BOE-Furloughs influence the decision to let governors pick future members of the board, Star Advertiser, November 3, 2010

First-timers join last elected panel, Star Advertiser, November 3, 2010

Hawaii General Election 2010 Results

Star Advertiser Board of Education General Election Guide 2010

School board needs new energy, Star Advertiser, October 20, 2010

The Forgotten Board Of Education Race, Civil Beat, October 20, 2010

Board of Education 2010 Race: Popularity Contest or a Chance for Parent Voices?, Hawaii Reporter, October 21, 2010

• Primary Election 2010 Board of Education Results

PDF Download

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Election Results

Pamela Young Meets Pamela Young

• Olelo Broadcast of 2010 Board of Education Candidates in Focus

• School board candidates vie to lead state’s reforms

Vote 2010

Who are these people and what do they bring to the
Board of Education?

Oahu at Large (all Oahu votes)

Melanie Bailey:

Best known for: As a public school parent, Melanie campaigned against Furlough Fridays and successfully lobbied for the passage of the “minimum instructional hours” bill in the Legislature. This bill requires the Department of Education to provide a minimum of 180 days of instructional time per year. Hawaii was the only state in the country without such a law.

Notable proposals for the BOE:

• make sure our children’s success is the basis for every decision.
• be a fresh set of eyes looking for positive solutions.
• be a supportive partner to the Department of Education.
• focus on improvement, not just setting goals.

Find out more: alohamelaniebailey@yahoo.com , Facebook: MelanieBaileyCandidate

KHNL News Now: Melanie Bailey

Kim Coco Iwamoto:

Best known for: Incumbent elected to BOE in 2006; actively lobbied against Furlough Fridays

Notable Proposals for the BOE:

1. Replicate models of instruction delivery that have already improved student achievement in similarly situated schools.
2. Fortify DOE’s data collection and analysis system so that each decision we make maximizes educational opportunities for every student;
3. Leverage competitive salaries and professional development to recruit and retain highly-qualified, highly-effective teachers who can ensure our children are prepared for 21st Century challenges and expectations.
Find out more: info@kimcoco.com

KHNL News Now: Kim Coco Iwamoto

Roger Kiyoshi Takabayashi:

Best known for: Former President HSTA (Hawaii State Teacher’s Association)

Notable Proposals for the BOE: “…setting high standards that are unattainable for some may also result in a greater number of dropouts.  Have you ever heard of the bell curve?  …Is it realistic to use ideals as standards?”

Find out more: takabayashirk@hawaii.rr.com
1292 Ala Mahamoe St., Honolulu 96819 (808) 839-4770

KHNL News Now: Roger Kiyoshi Takabayashi

Brian Y. Yamane:

Best Known For: Former Legislator

Notable Proposals for the BOE: “I will work to enhance the relations between the Board, the Administration and the Legislature.  I believe that the current Board is not moving forward and that the Board needs to work within its means.  If you are not happy with the way things are going I urge you to vote for a non-incumbent.”

Find out more: yamaneb@gmail.com

KHNL News Now: Brian Yamane

Randall MLYee:

Best known for: Former BOE member and Chairman

Notable Proposals for the BOE:

Find out more: rmly@hawaii.rr.com

KHNL News Now: Randall Yee

Pamela Young:

Best Known For: I have extensive community service experience working with elected officials and labor leaders. I have served on the Neighborhood Board No. 35 for the past 13 years, and with the HGEA for the past 11 years. At the present time, I am the president of the HGEA Professional and Scientific Unit 13, which consists of 7,000 members.

Notable Proposals for the BOE: It is critical to a child’s success in life to acquire proficiency in the basic subjects and to receive a well-rounded education. I will focus on improving student proficiency and reducing dropout rates. For low-performing schools and students, we should provide additional resources. Unfortunately, the state’s budget crisis has had an adverse effect on education.

Find out more: pamelayounghawaii@gmail.com

KHNL News Now: Pamela Young

Leeward ( all Oahu votes)

James Arola:

Best Known For: Father of 2 from Ewa Beach and parent teacher guild president –

Notable proposals for the BOE: “In every proposal we need to ask ourselves will it positively impact our students – if not we need to reconsider”… “I suggest we create volunteer mentoring programs.”

Find out more: 91-1011 Aeoia St., #E, Ewa Beach, 96706 (808) 554-4488

Maralyn A Kurshals:

Best Known For: Working in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years with single parents, people with disabilities, children and youth, residents of housing shelters, and the Native Hawaiian community. I have been a grant writer as well as a legislative and community advocate and organizer. My teaching background has been with diverse groups, from elementary school students, to teenagers and adults in housing shelters.  30 years experience in non-profit work much of it in early childhood education through Good Beginnings Alliance and INPEACE.  Chairman of Education Committee for her neighborhood board.

Notable proposals for the BOE: “Responsive leadership and building community will help create successful schools.”

Find out more: maralynleewardboe@gmail.com
www.maralynkurshals.com

KHNL News Now: Maralyn Kurshals and David O’Neal

David O’Neal:

Best known for: School Community Council Chair for Kalei’opupu Elementary School.
I have three children. Two attend public school at Kalei’opu’u Elementary and one attends Kamehameha Schools. Father of three, business background currently self employed. On his daughters’ school SCC and active school organizer.

Notable proposals for the BOE:
• Budget wisely and creatively to minimize spending while providing needed services and programs
• Invest in schools in new communities and re-evaluate older facilities
• Continue to improve test scores and proficiency in real life skills
• Engage parents more
• “Volunteering for children is a passion of mine.”….“I believe that the DOE must budget wisely, principals must be strong, teachers must be supported rather than frustrated by ever-changing mandates.”

Find out more: davidonealforboe@gmail.com

http://www.davidoneal4boe.com/

KHNL News Now: Maralyn Kurshals and David O’Neal

Windward (all Oahu votes)

Valsey Freitas:

Best Known For: I’m running to present families in our district with the choice to have a parental voice in education. Improving our public schools will require the support and input of families and community. Let’s stand united, work toward a common goal and exercise our right to be heard. Your support and involvement is important in the education of Hawaii’s children.

Notable proposals for the BOE:
• Increased autonomy and fiscal responsibility at complex and school level to further decentralize education
• Stronger family engagement and parental involvement practices aimed at improving academic achievement
• Equitable funding and support for charter schools

Find out more: 47-381 Ahuimanu Rd., Kaneohe 96744 (808) 781-3827

KHNL News Now: Valsey Freitas

John Penebacker:

Best known for: Incumbent first elected 2006

Notable proposals for the BOE:

Find out more: penebackerjr@hotmail.com
902 Maunawili Rd., Kailua 96734 (808) 263-4002

Maui (all Neighbor Island votes)

Leona Rocha-Wilson:

Best known for:
I ended up starting my own company called Fashionetics. Later, I ran the company; I became the first woman president of this national organization called The American Home Sewing Association, made up of executives of all the major companies like Singer, the pattern companies and so forth. So I had board experience in that I have worked in a national organization.

Notable proposals for the BOE:
“My job as a board member is to see to it that we have two paths: a path for career, and a path for college, so that all children will receive a fulfilling education.”

Find out more: VIDEO: Leona Rocha-Wilson BOE Candidate Profile, Decision 2010 MauiNOW.com
192 Halau Pl. Kihei, Maui 96753, (808) 874-3077

Ray R Hart:

Best known for:
Retired Elementary School Teacher and Parent

Notable proposals for the BOE:
“And the importance of having a teacher and a parent on the Board of Education means that I can provide that perspective to the other members of the board that will allow them to think about the issues from a different point of view. “

Find out more: VIDEO: Ray Hart BOE Candidate Profile, Decision 2010 MauiNOW.com
467 Kalalau Pl. Kihei, Maui 96753, (808) 264-2261

KHNL News Now: Ray Hart

Board of Education Reform – Elected or Appointed

Hawaii’s Ballot Initiative on the B of E

On November 2^nd voters will get a chance to decide for themselves whether to keep our existing governance system which involves directly electing the Board of Education or choose a system in which the Board of Education becomes an appointed body. There are arguments on both sides. Before we get to that we thought it was important to remind voters of what we feel both sides can agree on.

While governance may seem far removed from the direct experience of most parents and students, without good governance Hawaii is almost certain to fail in its efforts to turn around its struggling schools and close its persistent “achievement gap.” Without strong, visionary leadership and clear accountability Hawaii’s Department of Education will continue to drift, sometimes up but more often than not down. According to the OECD educational attainment in Hawaii has been declining on a generational basis for three generations now. That means that the schools our parents went to are a far cry from those their grandchildren now attend. Getting a governance structure that can support and encourage the strong, award winning efforts of the Department of Education is essential.

Below we list the pros and cons of the “Elected versus Appointed” issue and we let you the voters decide.

Ballot question:

“Shall the Board of Education be changed to a board appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, as provided by law?”

Appointed vs. Elected BOE

Voters favor an appointed school board, Star Advertiser, October 26, 2010

KHNL News Now: Proposed constitutional amendment on elected or appointed Board of Education

HIPA/Hawaii Breakfast Forums: Ep – 4 Elected or Appointed Board of Education, September 30, 2010

Should BOE Members be Appointed or Elected?, KHON, September 30, 2010

PBS Insights Video on Appointed Vs Elected Board, September 23, 2010

“League of Women Voters The (9/14) Forum:
Proposed Constitutional Amendment: Elected v. Appointed BOE”

Read Up on Hawaii’s Ed Board Amendment, Civil Beat, September 30, 2010

BOE: Elected or appointed?, Star Advertiser, October 17, 2010

BOE’s future among amendment issues, Star Advertiser, October 17, 2010

Apathy and accountability knock heads over school board, Star Advertiser, October 21, 2010

YES, The BOE Should be Appointed

Former state schools chief joins chorus for appointed BOE, Star Advertiser, October 12, 2010

Few votes in primary show appointed BOE is necessary, Star Advertiser, October 13, 2010

Teacher Resists Union Pressure, KITV News, October 15, 2010

Civil Beat Poll: Mojority of Voters Back Appointed Board of Education, October 15, 2010

Few Votes in Primary Show Appointed BOE is Necessary, Star Advertiser, October 13, 2010

Appointed Board Would Help Accountability, Star Advertiser, October 4, 2010

Hawaii’s Children First, Vote YES to Appointed School Board

Elected BOE micromanages, wastes education resources, Star Advertiser Commentary, October 18, 2010

Appointed BOE deserves try, Star Advertiser, October 19, 2010

NO, The BOE should remain Elected

Board of Education Chair Garrett Toguchi’s press release for Elected Board

HSTA, Vote NO to Appointed School Board/

Elected board represents the people, not politicians, Star Advertiser Commentary, October 18, 2010

http://www.isbe.net/arra/pdf/race_to_the_top_draft.pdf

The final criteria for the application process are expected to be released in the Autumn and funds will be distributed in two phases.  Phase 1 application are due by year end 2009 with funds to be disbursed in early 2010 and Phase 2 applications are due in the Spring of 2010 with funds to be disbursed by Autumn 2010.

The following is an excerpt from a speech President Obama gave upon the announcement of RTTT:

Because improving education is central to rebuilding our economy, we set aside over $4 billion in the Recovery Act to promote improvements in schools.  This is one of the largest investments in education reform in American history.  And rather than divvying it up and handing it out, we are letting states and school districts compete for it.  That’s how we can incentivize excellence and spur reform and launch a race to the top in America’s public schools.

That race starts today.  I’m issuing a challenge to our nation’s governors, to school boards and principals and teachers, to businesses and non-for-profits, to parents and students:  if you set and enforce rigorous and challenging standards and assessments; if you put outstanding teachers at the front of the classroom; if you turn around failing schools — your state can win a Race to the Top grant that will not only help students outcompete workers around the world, but let them fulfill their God-given potential.

This competition will not be based on politics or ideology or the preferences of a particular interest group.  Instead, it will be based on a simple principle — whether a state is ready to do what works.  We will use the best evidence available to determine whether a state can meet a few key benchmarks for reform — and states that outperform the rest will be rewarded with a grant.  Not every state will win and not every school district will be happy with the results.  But America’s children, America’s economy, and America itself will be better for it…….

……Better standards.  Better teaching.  Better schools.  Data-driven results.  That’s what we will reward with our Race to the Top Fund.  But as I’ve said before, fixing the problem in our schools is not a task for Washington alone.  It will take school administrators, board presidents, and local union leaders making collective bargaining a catalyst — and not an impediment — to reform.  It will take business leaders asking what they can do to invest in education in their communities.  It will take parents asking the right questions at their child’s school, and making sure their children are doing their homework at night.

The most significant element of the President’s speech is his recognition that true change in our public schools will take not just tremendous commitment and effort but also tremendous cooperation.  To win RTTT funding a state must demonstrate collaboration between the governor, the state legislature, the Department of Education, the Board of Education, organized labor, the business community and the philanthropic community.  Each player will have a part to play in reform.  The President calls the Race an “educational moon shot.”

So what are the goals?

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has outlines four distinct “assurances” or funding priorities that are the criteria upon which states will be judged and they are as follows:

1) Standards and assessments

2) Data systems to support instruction

3) “Great teachers and leaders”

4) Turning around failing schools

Taken in turn let’s break these down.  The following is a brief description of the four assurances prepared by the New Teacher Project:

Standards and assessments

Participation in national efforts to adopt common standards and assessments of student performance, and a plan for instituting them.

Data systems to support instruction

Statewide longitudinal data system that links student and teacher data and makes data available to researchers and the public.

Great teachers and leaders

Differentiation of teachers and principals according to effectiveness, and incorporation of effectiveness data in human capital policies and decisions.

Turning around struggling schools

Authority to intervene with struggling schools and a policy framework that supports high-quality charter schools.

For the full text (which we highly recommend) and to see more detail on the four assurances as well as the application process see the link below:

http://www.tntp.org/publications/other_publications.html#R2T

To have the best chance of winning RTTT funding Hawaii must:

• Make progress towards the four assurances
• Demonstrate statewide support from all stakeholders – a coalition of government, labor, business and philanthropy
• Make progress in closing the “achievement gap” that exists between economically advantaged and disadvantaged students as measure by nationally normalized tests such as NAEP (as opposed to the current HSA)
• Demonstrate the ability to sustain and build upon the reforms taken

It is essential that Hawaii compete in the Race To The Top.  Given the current status of Hawaii’s public school system Hawaii needs a bit of a “space race” to get to where we want to be and desperately needs the funding for the much needed reforms that the Race represents.

In addition, it is becoming self-evident that although no state is required to compete for Race To The Top funding, the competition’s four assurances have now become the central pillars of the President’s educational policy.

It is HIGHLY likely that the US DOE will increasingly pressure ALL states (even those who did not compete) to make progress towards the four assurances.

Much as the federal government enforced national speed limits by attaching them to highway funding it is virtually certain that future federal financial support for public education will come with RTTT “strings” attached.

In summary:

The changes the President has proposed are needed and are virtually universally accepted as “best practices” for public school education.

Hawaii has a chance to win BIG financial incentives to help us implement them – possibly up to $250 million.

Hawaii (like all other states) will almost certainly have to make progress towards the four assurances anyway – whether it competes in the contest or not – to fail to compete delays reforms and is the equivalent of simply throwing money away.

We all need to work together if this application is going to be successful – everyone will have a role to play.

We can succeed at this – and we simply cannot afford to fail.

The Learning Coalition has already begun working with a number of other key stakeholders to identify the steps needed to help Hawaii prepare the best application it possibly can.  To find out more about what you can do to help Hawaii’s RTTT “moon shot” please contact us.  WE DON’T NEED YOUR MONEY – WE NEED YOUR COMMITMENT.

http://www.thelearningcoalition.org

At an average of $230mm per annum (not counting teacher furloughs) the requested cuts equal about 16% of non-Federal spending.

Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Akuna, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Knudsen, Ms. Lee, Mr. Penebacker, and Mr. Toguchi voted in favor of Mr. Toguchi for Board Chairperson.
Ms. Cox, Mr. Harimoto, and Mr. Watanabe voted in favor of Ms. Cox for Board Chairperson.

Source: BOE News Release December 3, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOEPRESS.NSF

Meeting Minutes December 3, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf

• On December 3, 2009 the BOE did not pass the Department of Education Fiscal Year 2009-10 Emergency Appropriation Request for the Student Transportation Program; BOE will not ask the Legislature for the $12 million to assist covering the projected shortfall.

The calculation of the projected shortfall is below:

Aye: Ms. Akuna, Ms. Knudsen, Ms. Lee, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox, Mr. Harimoto, Mr. Penebacker, and Mr. Toguchi
Abstentions: None

Meeting Minutes December 3, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf

• On November 19, 2009, the BOE voted to approve an increase of Bus Transportation fares for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The increase schedule is as follows:

Aye: Ms. Akuna, Dr. Clarke, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox, Mr. Harimoto, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: Ms. Ikeda, Ms. Knudsen, and Mr. Penebacker
Abstentions: None
Dr. Ahu Isa was not present at the time of the vote. Ms. Iwamoto was excused from the vote.

Meeting Minutes November 19, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf
• On July 16, 2009 the BOE voted to approve the following school meal prices for School Year 2009-10. The state Legislature required a price increase this year to help to meet an expected $5 million to $6 million deficit in the meals program. Under the new law, the state Department of Education is required to charge a meal price that is at least 50 percent of the cost of preparing a meal.

Aye: Ms. Akuna, Dr. Clarke, Ms. Cochran, Mr. Harimoto, Ms. Ikeda, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Lee, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: Ms. Knudsen and Mr. Penebacker
Abstention: None

Source: BOE News Release June 8, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOEPRESS.NSF

Meeting Minutes July 16, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf

• On July 9, 2009, the BOE approved $226.8 million in reductions to the state Department of Education’s budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year to comply with spending restrictions imposed by Gov. Linda Lingle and the Legislature.

The funds will come out of several sources, including $117.4 million in labor costs yet to be determined through ongoing contract negotiations. The adjustment also lists $40 million in funding cuts approved by the board in October, $16 million from a five percent cut in school supplies and equipment, some $630,000 in savings from the closure of Wailupe Valley School, and other funds.

Aye: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Akuna, Ms. Cochran, Mr. Harimoto, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Knudsen, Ms. Lee, Mr. Penebacker, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe. Ms. Iwamoto was excused for conflicts.
Nay: None
Abstain: None

Source: BOE News Release July 9, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOEPRESS.NSF

Meeting Minutes July 9, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf

•In June 2009 the BOE approved amendments to Chapter 19 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules.
Chapter 19, which addresses student discipline, was revised to ensure safety of students. Among the changes is an updated list of contraband items and rules allowing school administrators to conduct searches of lockers assigned to students.

Aye: Ms. Akuna, Dr. Clarke, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox, Ms. Ikeda, Ms. Knudsen, Mr. Penebacker, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Lee, and Mr. Toguchi
Abstain: None

Source: BOE Highlights August 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOENews.nsf

Meeting Minutes June 18, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf

• BOE voted to amend Chapter 38, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Consolidation of Public Schools
The BOE approved revisions to Chapter 38 to streamline the process of consolidation public schools. While the previous rule instructed complex area superintendents to initiate a consolidation study, the new language now shifts that responsibility to the State Schools Superintendent.

Aye: Ms. Akuna, Dr. Clarke, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox , Mr. Harimoto, Ms. Ikeda, Mr. Penebacker, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Iwamoto, and Ms. Knudsen
Abstain: None

Source: BOE Highlights May 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOENews.nsf/

Meeting Minutes May 22, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf/

• BOE voted to amend Chapter 37, Hawaii Administrative Rules, School Lunch Programs
Chapter 37 was amended to allow DOE to set meal prices in accordance with State and Federal laws. The change allows the department to comply with Act 26, a new law adopted by the Legislature this year that requires the Education Department to charge students no less than half the cost of preparing meals.

Aye: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Akuna, Dr. Clarke, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox, Mr. Harimoto, Ms. Ikeda, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Knudsen, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: Mr. Penebacker
Abstain: None

Source: BOE Highlights May 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOENews.nsf/

Meeting Minutes May 22, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf/

• BOE voted to amend Chapter 27, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Transportation of Students
Amendments to Chapter 27 gives the DOE more flexibility to adjust bus fares in response to changes in costs and legislative appropriations, thus reducing the risk that education programs be cut to pay for bus services. Any future fare increase would be capped at half the department’s cost. The walking distance for secondary students also was changed increasing to less than 1.5 miles from less than 1 mile.

Aye: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Akuna, Dr. Clarke, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox, Mr. Harimoto, Ms. Ikeda, Mr. Penebacker, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: None
Abstain: None

Source: BOE Highlights May 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOENews.nsf/

Meeting Minutes May 22, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf/

• BOE voted to amend Chapter 12, Hawaii Administrative Rules, Compulsory Attendance
Chapter 12 was amended to allow home school students to participate in co-curricular activities at the local public school, if applicable.

The Board amended Section 8-12-13(d), HAR, as follows:
The parent(s) submitting a notice to home school a child shall be responsible for the child’s total educational program including meeting the requirements for participation in athletics and other co-curricular activities [.] at the local public school, if applicable.

Aye: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Akuna, Dr. Clarke, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox, Mr. Harimoto, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Knudsen, Mr. Penebacker, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: Ms. Ikeda
Abstain: None

Meeting Minutes May 21, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf/

• BOE approved the consolidation of Wailupe Valley Elementary with nearby Aina Haina Elementary.
At a special meeting on May 1, the Board unanimously voted to adopt a task force’s recommendation to close Wailupe Valley and relocate its students to Aina Haina by the start of the 2009-10 academic year. The decision came after careful analysis by a group of parents, school administrators and community members who unanimously concluded that the move would be in everyone’s best interest.

The task force voted 8-0 in favor of the consolidation. Among its key findings:
• Wailupe Valley students will benefit academically by taking classes at a campus with higher overall student achievement, more educational programs and extra-curricular activities.
• The Board’s decision to close Wailupe Valley will lead to about $775,000 in annual savings to the State.

Aye: Dr. Ahu Isa, Ms. Akuna, Ms. Cochran, Ms. Cox, Mr. Harimoto, Ms. Ikeda, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Knudsen, Ms. Lee, Mr. Penebacker, Mr. Toguchi, and Mr. Watanabe
Nay: None
Abstain: None

Source: BOE Highlights May 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/BOENews.nsf/

Meeting Minutes May 1, 2009
http://www.boe.k12.hi.us/STATE/BOE/Minutes.nsf/

Early Childhood Education:

Helping Your Preschool Child:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/earlychild/ready/preschool/preschool.pdf

Early Childhood Education resources:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/earlychild/ready/resources.html#rfp

General Resources:

Blue Ribbon Public Schools List:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-2003.pdf

Helping My Child to Read:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/reader/reader.pdf

Reading Tips for Parents:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/readingtips/readingtips.pdf

A Parent’s Guide to Reading:
http://www.nifl.gov/archive/pfr/about.html

Federal Resources for Excellent Academics:
http://www.free.ed.gov/

Helping My Child Learn Science:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/science/index.html

Helping My Child Learn Mathematics:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/math/index.html

Helping My Child with Homework:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/homework/index.html

Helping Your Child Succeed in School:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/succeed/index.html

Helping Your Child through Adolescence:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/adolescence/index.html

Helping Your Child Learn History:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/adolescence/index.html

Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/citizen/index.html

The Importance of No Child Left Behind:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/schoolbox/booklet1/index.html

Partnerships for parental Empowerment:
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/rights/ocr/parents2.html

Special Education:

Special Education Resources:
http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/queries/word_specific_results.cfm

Identifying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/research/pubs/adhd/adhd-identifying.html

Disability Discrimination:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/rights/guid/ocr/disability.html

Deaf Blindness National Clearinghouse:
http://nationaldb.org/

National Institute on Disability Research:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/index.html

College Readiness and Financial Aid:

Mapping out a Path to College:
http://www.college.gov/wps/portal/

College Preparation:
http://students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public

How to Pay For College:
http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf

Financial Aid Wizard:
https://studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/fin_aid_wizard/

Finding Out about Financial Aid:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/funding.jsp?tab=funding

Funding your Education:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

College – How to Pay for It:
http://students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public

Applying for Federal Financial Aid:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/fafsa.jsp

Parent (PLUS) Loans for College:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/parentloans.jsp

What we have learned is that the public private partnerships we envision are dependent on the creation and maintenance of purposeful and trusting relationships.  Further, that to establish these relationships we must constantly revisit how we perceive, communicate, collaborate and share resources.  We have to collectively raise expectations of each other and ourselves, especially our children.  What’s more, we need to be strategic and compassionate in how we pursue these goals out of respect to our families and the huge burdens they already bear as well as to our teachers, principals and school staff.

What we know is that there are as many ways to approach this work as there is diversity among our students, families, schools and communities.  We imagine success will look different in every community and every school.  Nonetheless, we think that there are shared elements that must exist within our schools, families and communities in order to meet the adaptive challenges we face.

More 2008 Hawaii General Election Results

· City and County of Honolulu – Election results

· County of Hawaii – Election results

· County of Maui – Election results

· County of Kauai – Election results