STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, December 5, 2019

PRESENT:
Margaret Cox, Committee Chairperson
Kili Namauʻu, Committee Vice Chairperson
Kaimana Barcarse
Brian De Lima, Esq.
Catherine Payne
Dwight Takeno
Kenneth Uemura
Daniella White (student representative)

EXCUSED:
None

ALSO PRESENT:
Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent
Donna Lum Kagawa, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design
Heidi Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Student Support Services
Nadine Marchessault, Health Educational Specialist, Standards Support Section, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design
Alison Kunishige, Executive Director
Regina Pascua, Board Private Secretary
Irina Dana, Secretary


I. Call to Order

The Student Achievement Committee (“Committee”) was called to order by Committee Chairperson Margaret Cox at 11:38 a.m.


II. *Public testimony on Student Achievement Committee (“Committee”) agenda items

Committee Chairperson Cox called for public testimony. The following people provided oral testimony.

Name
Organization
Agenda Item
Position
Vanessa Ott PublicIV.A. Committee Action on Department recommendations regarding policy changes to ensure Board policies support the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force’s 2018 summative report and the English Learners Task Force’s 2018 summative report: Revisions to Board Policy 105-13, Inclusion and new Board policy on English learnersComment
Susan Erickson Hawaii Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and DanceIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondary Support
Denise Darva-Citac Department of Education IV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondarySupport/Comment
Lola IrvinDepartment of HealthIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondary Support/Comment
Susan Rocco Special Education Advisory Council IV.A. Committee Action on Department recommendations regarding policy changes to ensure Board policies support the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force’s 2018 summative report and the English Learners Task Force’s 2018 summative report: Revisions to Board Policy 105-13, Inclusion and new Board policy on English learnersSupport/Comment

Vanessa Ott, member of the public, testified on the Department of Education’s (“Department”) recommendations regarding policy changes to ensure Board of Education (“Board”) policies support the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force’s and English Learners (“EL”) Task Force’s 2018 summative reports. She expressed concern regarding the poor or nonexistent implementation of Board policies, particularly as it relates to curriculum for special education classrooms and parent engagement. Vott asked the Committee to review and consider adjustments to resolve these issues.
Susan Erickson, Hawaii Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, testified in support of the adoption of the National Health Education Standards (“NHES”).

Denise Darva-Citac, Department, testified in support of the adoption of the NHES. She detailed issues in public schools, including a lack of comprehensive health education, and emphasized the importance of quality health education.

Lola Irvin, Department of Health, testified in support of the adoption of the NHES. She expressed concern regarding the Department’s funding and teacher shortage, emphasized the importance of health education, and detailed how the NHES was created.

Susan Rocco, representing Ivalee Sinclair and Martha Guinan, Special Education Advisory Council, testified in support of the Department’s recommended changes to existing Board Policy 105-13, Inclusion, and commented that the Committee should further review Board Policy 101-7, School Climate and Discipline.

Written testimony was also received and provided to the Committee members. The following is a listing of the people that submitted written testimony before the testimony deadline.

Name
Organization
Agenda Item
Position
Susan Lynn EricksonHawaii Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and DanceIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondarySupport/Comment
Tetine SentellOffice of Public Health Studies, University of Hawaii at ManoaIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondary Support
Nathan MurataCollege of Education, University of Hawaii at ManoaIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondarySupport
Leilani SilvaPublicIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondary Support
Angela MiyashiroPublicIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondarySupport
Department of HealthDepartment of HealthIV.B. Committee Action on health standards for elementary and secondarySupport
Martha Guinan, Ivalee SinclairSpecial Education Advisory CouncilIV.A. Committee Action on Department recommendations regarding policy changes to ensure Board policies support the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force’s 2018 summative report and the English Learners Task Force’s 2018 summative report: Revisions to Board Policy 105-13, Inclusion and new Board policy on English learnersSupport/Comment


III. Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2019

ACTION: Motion to approve the Student Achievement Committee Meeting minutes of September 5, 2019 (De Lima/Uemura). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.
IV. Recommendation for Action
Committee Chairperson Cox reviewed work to ensure Board policies support the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force’s 2018 summative report and the EL Task Force’s 2018 summative report.

Committee Chairperson Cox stated that at the Committee’s last meeting, the Department presented a list of identified Board policies it would review; a timeline for making recommendations to the Committee; and a list of other policies, rules, regulations, or guidelines that affect or could affect the implementation of the taskforce recommendations.

Committee Chairperson Cox stated that at this meeting, the Department was to provide possible updates or recommendations. The memorandum from Heidi Armstrong, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Student Support Services, which is attached to the meeting memorandum contains all of the information the Committee needs to complete the task associated with the Committee’s strategic priority. The memorandum includes a list of identified Board policies the Department reviewed; recommended changes to existing Board Policy 105-13, entitled “Inclusion;” and recommended adoption of a new Board policy on English learners.

Committee Member Brian De Lima moved to approve the Department’s proposed revisions to Board Policy 105-13, entitled “Inclusion,” as described in Exhibit A of Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Cox’s memorandum dated December 5, 2019. Committee Member Kenneth Uemura seconded.

Committee Member De Lima stated that while he agrees with the Department’s proposal, the Department should respond to SEAC’s recommendations and comments regarding school climate and discipline in its testimony at a future meeting. He noted that SEAC references data and there are questions as to the accuracy of certain data. He stated that the Committee would need additional information to determine whether there are systemic problems and whether the Committee should revise related policies.

Committee Member De Lima noted that the Department’s recommendations mention professional development. He stated that the Committee and Department should discuss what kinds of professional development the Department is providing in areas of special education in the future.

Committee Chairperson Cox emphasized the importance of the implementation of policies rather than policies themselves. She stated that the Department should address professional development when it addresses its procedures for implementing policies.

ACTION: Move to approve the Department’s proposed revisions to Board Policy 105-13, entitled “Inclusion,” as described in Exhibit A of Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Cox’s memorandum dated December 5, 2019 (De Lima/Uemura). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

Committee Chairperson Cox reviewed the Department’s proposed new Board policy on English learners. She noted that the Committee received the new English learner guidance manual in the past and emphasized the importance of a new policy.

Committee Member De Lima moved to adopt new Board Policy entitled “English Learners (EL)” as described in Exhibit A of Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Cox’s memorandum dated December 5, 2019. Committee Member Kaimana Barcarse seconded.

Committee Chairperson Cox asked about the Department’s proposed policy. Armstrong explained that existing Board policies address some of the EL Taskforce’s recommendations, including multilingualism and the Seal of Biliteracy. However, a comprehensive policy that affects the general English learner does not exist. The Department’s proposed policy anchors its commitment to equity and access for all students. Armstrong stated that the policy addresses English learners in two parts. First, the policy directs the Department to provide appropriate services and be responsible for developing rules and guidelines around implementation. Second, the policy ensures that professionals who are providing English learner services possess appropriate qualifications. Armstrong stated that the policy confirms the Department’s and Board’s commitment to provide quality education to all students, including English learners.

Committee Chairperson Cox asked about teacher readiness. Armstrong stated that the Department plans to present an implementation plan if the Committee and Board adopt the new policy.

ACTION: Motion to adopt new Board Policy entitled “English Learners (EL)” as described in Exhibit A of Student Achievement Committee Chairperson Cox’s memorandum dated December 5, 2019 (De Lima/Barcarse). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.

Donna Lum Kagawa, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, reviewed health standards for elementary and secondary. She stated that comprehensive health education is essential to the advancement of knowledge, skills, and disposition and offers students the opportunity to make healthy choices. She noted that the NHES align with the Department’s 2030 Promise Plan and continue the Department’s sustained commitment to providing a healthy and safe learning environment. Kagawa stated that students cannot achieve academic success unless they have a foundational wellbeing.

Nadine Marchessault, Health Educational Specialist, Standards Support Section, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, emphasized the importance of the NHES and detailed the health and wellbeing of students. She stated that the Department recommends the adoption of the NHES to support the development of the whole child. Marchessault stated that Board policies ensure high academic expectations, appropriate assessment, and instruction. The NHES strengthens focus on health literacy, which improves health behaviors, including emotional and mental wellbeing.

Marchessault stated that the NHES provides schools with flexibility to adjust curriculum to meet specific needs and prioritizes supporting students’ wellbeing and academic success. She noted that research confirms that healthy students are better learners. She noted that adoption of the NHES contributes to efforts to mitigate chronic absenteeism and the Department’s commitment to Nâ Hopena Aʻo (“H”).

Marchessault highlighted that the Department is committed to continuing collaboration with families and communities. She detailed that the Department introduced the “Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child” model in the 2017-2018 school year as a collaborative approach to student health. Different offices are working collaboratively to support wellness and health instruction in schools. She stated that the Department works in partnership with different agencies, including the University of Hawaii and the Department of Health, to support students’ wellbeing and academic success from early learning to college, career, and citizenship. Marchessault noted that the Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that youth face many challenges. She noted that health education could support students in reducing risks. Marchessault detailed that mental and emotional health instruction covers an array of topics, such as bullying and suicide prevention. Health education classes can teach students how to express feelings in healthy ways, maintain relationships, manage conflict and stress, and seek help for themselves and others. The NHES has a strong focus on helping students develop skills and reduce health risks related to mental and emotional health.

Marchessault stated that the Department’s implementation of the NHES in kindergarten through twelfth grade would help students build an understanding of concepts. She detailed how the NHES would help build resiliency and reviewed standards and priority risk topics. Marchessault stated that the Department would serve prekindergarten classrooms by extending resources and support for developmentally appropriate practices in health education.

Marchessault reviewed how shifts in health education would support school design and teacher collaboration. She noted that shifts would leverage student voice and encourage schools to analyze health data and strengthen curriculum to meet needs. Additionally, students would have opportunities to practice health literacy skills. Marchessault highlighted that engaging students in health provides them with voice. For example, students can make requests to promote their own personal health or explore health issues in their communities. Marchessault shared student experiences and detailed the Hawaii State Student Council’s work.

Marchessault reviewed next steps for health education. She noted that three-fourths of teachers are familiar with and integrating NHES. She detailed that the Department has focused on communicating resources and supporting schools. She noted that next steps would include workshops, conferences, memos, and updates to learning design resources. She highlighted that the health education resource group is a group of stakeholders consisting of teachers, counselors, and other leaders. The group would develop additional resources to support best practices and publicize these resources to support implementation of the NHES.

Committee Member Payne stated that NHES would have implications for what is occurring in schools operationally because there are middle schools that do not require students to have health knowledge but yet there are standards for these grade levels and middle school years are crucial years for health education. Committee Member Payne stated that there are assessment measures that define whether schools are succeeding or failing in terms of academic performance and the Department would need to review how to assess whether schools are implementing the NHES appropriately. She emphasized the importance of physical, mental, and emotional health and how it relates to academic performance. Committee Member Payne noted that she supports the NHES but the Department would need to change its language when communicating with schools in terms of expecting schools to implement the NHES versus encouraging schools to implement the NHES. She emphasized the importance of schools following best practices and implementing the NHES.

Committee Member De Lima stated that it makes sense that the NHES emphasize health. He noted that some students only receive health education at school and do not receive health education from their parents. He stated that the Department implements standards to support proficiency in reading, math, and language arts, and emphasized the importance of the Department integrating health and physical fitness standards within the common every day experiences of students.

Committee Member De Lima stated that the Department’s expectations need to be fluid. He detailed that teachers already participate in professional development and training programs and new standards would add an additional layer for teachers and administrators. He stated that implementation would need to be seamless and the Department would need to communicate the NHES in a way in which teachers and schools do not view the standards as burdensome.

Committee Chairperson Cox emphasized the importance of implementation in middle schools and noted that health should be a part of curriculum in middle schools. Committee Chairperson Cox expressed concern over various health-related issues, such as vaping and exercise, and noted the importance of the Department reviewing the overall picture of physical health. She noted that the Department would need to ensure that schools understand the importance and how to integrate the NHES without overburdening schools and dictating what schools need to do.

ACTION: Motion to adopt the National Health Education Standards for kindergarten through twelfth grade as described in the Department’s memorandum dated December 5, 2019 (Payne/Uemura). The motion carried unanimously with all members present voting aye.


V. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Cox adjourned the meeting at 12:24 p.m.