North Hawaii youth have access to high quality education, which uses evidence-based teaching strategies in nurturing environments, supports students to be proficient readers by 3rd grade, graduate from high school on time, attend a 13th year of school, and be connected to their families, schools and community.

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• % 3rd graders who meet “proficient” reading level (Chart).
• % of freshmen who graduate on time (Chart).
• % High school seniors with plans for a 13th year of school (Chart).
• % Population > 25 years old without a high  school degree (Chart).

• % Students screened for learning differences by age 8.
• % 3rd grade students reading below grade level who catch up by 4th or 5th grade.
• % Youth who feel connected to school and community.
• % 16-19 year olds not in school or work (Chart).
• % Students who “definitely will” go to college (Chart).
• % Students satisfied with learning climate of school.
• Parents satisfied with learning climate of school.
• % Teachers satisfied with learning climate of school.

Though the graph clearly shows the positive influence on health of a 13th year of school, too many graduating seniors in North Hawaii are not going on to a thirteenth year of school.  Too many entering 9th graders are not graduating on time, and too many 3rd graders are behind in reading and don’t catch up by 4th or 5th grade.

• The traditional Big Island economy did not require or place a high value on education.
• Many North Hawaii parents work more than one job and travel long distances making it difficult to supervise and help their children with school work after school.
• North Hawaii public schools’ scores in reading and math are significantly lower than the State scores.
• Currently there is no clear system for early identification of students who   are at risk for struggling with reading or math.
• Public school resources are declining for physical education, arts and music.
• Percent of public school resources used for “special education” is increasing.
• Federal legislation, “No Child Left Behind” has led to recent public school focuses on testing.
• Teachers’ salaries are relatively low and cost of living is high.
• Continuing education for teachers is currently not required or subsidized.
• High rates of adult and student alcohol and illegal drug use.
• rates of adult and student alcohol and illegal drug use.
• No centralized public high school in North Hawaii. Many students travel out of North Hawaii to attend a North Kona high school.
• Lack of school career training in Hawaii County.
• Public perception that public education is not at the same standard of excellence as local private schools.
• Annual cost of K-12 private schools is > ¼ the average total annual household income.
• Public school oversight and budget at State level, rather than the local level.
• No local capacity to generate tax dollars for education.
• Recent increase in satisfaction with “learning climate” in some public school. Recent increase in reading scores in some North Hawaii schools.
• Several new principals at local public schools.
• Recent collaboration between all North Hawaii school principals both public and private

• High academic expectations of youth.
• Early identification and effective management of students at risk for struggling in reading.
• Evidence-based reading instruction strategies. Visit www.nationalreadingpanel.org.
• Caring school climates which actively support students’ healthy relationships with their family. (See Robert Wood Johnson study). High academic expectations of youth.
• Service to others (service learning) as a strategy to support students’ connection to community.
• School-based programs to provide on-going help with homework, and adult and peer mentoring.
• Teacher professional development.
• Build school communities of practice.

• Waimea Middle School Edible Garden Project.
• Tutu’s House – On-going youth activities, mentoring, and Earl’s Garage.
• The Kohala Center – Offering project-based learning and connecting science teachers with scientists.  Offering after school math enrichment programs for elementary and intermediate school students in Waimea.  Inquiry-based ocean science education programs in six different Big Island public schools.  Ocean science, forest ecology, and astronomy programs in Kohala Elementary School.  Scholarships for Island high school students to attend summer programs at Brown University and Cornell University.
• Hawaii Resources for School Success is providing resources for student assessments and teacher training, especially for capable, diverse learners.
• Educational Rotary Group – collaboration of North Hawaii principals.
• South Kona principals collaboration.
• North Hawaii Education and Research Center offers Hawaii Community College courses for adults and high school students.
• Reading skills and competencies for gainful employment, job upgrading or entrepreneurial training” in North Hawaii schools.
• Hawaii Island Rural Health Association - Emergency Response Training.
• Culinary Schools through Hawaii Community College.
• X-Ray technician program at North Hawaii Community Hospital.
• Construction academy at Kealakehe High School.

Increase Awareness:

• Of the importance of reading in 3rd grade, and evidence-based reading instruction and resources.
• Of the value of the 13th year.
• Need for growth of career and technical schools on the Big Island.
• Effective strategies to help struggling students.

Obtain Additional Data:

• Of students screened for learning differences by age 8.
• % of 3rd graders who are not proficient in reading and who catch up by 4th or 5th grade.
• Increase response rates for high school seniors exit plan survey.
• Increase annual response rate for student alcohol and drug survey in order to track progress. 
• Consider annual teacher survey of perceived needs for professional development.

Inventory and Build on Existing Resources:

• Partner to compile reading resources inventory of teachers trained in evidence-based language instruction and remediation and who are willing to do instruction and training.
• Resources for screening students at risk for struggling and for learning differences.
• Inventory all 13th year career training opportunities.
• Resources for obtaining financial aid for school, especially 13th year.

Increase Organizational Links:

• Expand links between schools and community resources for 3rd grade reading support, science curriculum, mentoring through Tutu’s House, The Kohala Center and the Hawaii Resources for School Success.

Identify and Address Barriers:

• Lack of central public high school with community facilities .
• Funding and opportunities for teacher continuing education.
• Teacher salaries.

Promote Effective Programs:

• Develop additional 13th year career and technical opportunities on the Big Island.
• Collaborate to develop community youth centers with access to after school youth development, sports, arts and with academic skills support and link with schools.
• Increase screening for risk of reading difficulty and learning differences. Increase access to affordable quality early childhood education.
• Improve assessment of and support of students who are capable, or gifted and diverse learners.
• Collaborate to support increased teacher professional development, especially in differentiated instruction.
• Collaborate to increase student mentoring opportunities, life skills and entrepreneurial curriculum.
• Collaborate to sponsor 13th year and college financing education nights at local high schools.
• Provide free or low cost SAT preparatory courses.

Promote Effective Practices:

• Expand South Kona Principals Leadership Group, which supports communities of practice in improving classroom instruction with a focus on “rigor, relevance and relationships.”

Promote Effective Policies:

• Promote daily physical activity in school.
• Promote effective school policies regarding student use of alcohol or drugs.

Improve Health Systems:

• Link high schools with opportunities to learn about health careers and volunteer in health field.

Acknowledge Champions and Progress:

• Identify lead organization to select and recognize champions.