September 19, 2024

STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, September 19, 2024

PRESENT:
Bill Arakaki, Chairperson
Kahele Dukelow, Vice Chairperson
Kaimana Barcarse
Elynne Chung
Ken Kuraya
Mary Hattori, Ex Officio
Roy Takumi, Ex Officio

ALSO PRESENT:
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy, Department of Education
Elizabeth Higashi, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Strategy, Innovation, and Performance, Department of Education
Dawn Palmerton, Principal, Kaumana Elementary School, Department of Education
Tiffany Pratt, Principal in residence, Leadership Institute, Department of Education
Trini Hironaga, School Renewal Specialist, Hilo-Waiakea, Department of Education
Andrea Fukumoto, Education Specialist, School Transformation Branch, Department of Education
Ethan Yang, Board Student Representative
Capsun Poe, Board Executive Director
Wimmie Wong Lui, Board Analyst
Lady Garrett, Secretary

I. Call to Order

Committee Chairperson Bill Arakaki called the Student Achievement Committee (“Committee”) Meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting was recessed at 10:01 a.m. and reconvened at 10:22 a.m.

II. Approval of Meeting Minutes of April 11, 2024, and May 9, 2024, Student Achievement Committee meetings

ACTION: Approve to the meeting minutes of April 11, 2024, and May 9, 2024, Student Achievement Committee meetings (Kuraya/Dukelow). The motion carried unanimously with all Committee members present voting aye.

III. Department of Education report on strategic plan key performance indicators: Strive HI 2024 report

Keith Hayashi, Superintendent invited Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy, and Elizabeth Higashi, Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance (OSIP) to provide the report on the strategic plan key performance indicators: Strive HI 2024 report.

Oyadomari-Chun stated that this is the first year of the Strive HI annual report of student performance which is based on the key performance indicators (KPI) of the new strategic plan. Two reports are generated, one for the state and one for the school level, including additional data that will be publicly available online. The reporting results are based on the 2023-2024 school year and the data reflects the continuing impacts due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oyadomari-Chun provided an overview of the highlights of the Strive HI report. The regular attendance rates shows that after the COVID-19 pandemic there was a big drop in attendance; however, rates are improving but still not back to the pre-pandemic levels. During SY 2023-2024, 75% of students attended school at least 90% of instructional days which is a national issue many states are struggling with. The on-time graduation rate is effectively being maintained and is based on the percentage of students who earn a high school diploma. A new measure added was for the extended high school completion rate to account for students who graduated late or earned another credential such as those with an IEP earning a certificate or high school equivalency. The post-secondary education and training reports on students who are immediately after high school enrolling in college with 50% of students.

Higashi stated that regarding academic achievement students have maintained 52% for English Language Arts (ELA), 40% for math, and a one percentage point increase in science. She acknowledged that attendance is not back to pre COVID-19 pandemic attendance levels and emphasized the importance of having students attend school. The Department is reviewing the correlation between proficiency and the movement towards goals for the upper right quadrant which demonstrates high proficiency and high growth. It is important to honor the growth to move students across the levels which may not be evident in proficiency scores and noted that socio-economic factors do have an impact on scores.

Hayashi shared the comparison of students who attend school regularly versus those who do not attend regularly. He emphasized that attendance matters for our students' success. He introduced Dawn Palmerton, Principal, Kaumana Elementary School; Tiffany Pratt, Principal in Residence and former Principal, Kaumana Elementary School; and Trini Hironaga, School Renewal Specialist, Hilo-Waiakea, Department of Education.

Hilo Union Elementary School serves 89% of students from economically disadvantaged households and the school prioritizes student’s well-being by creating a home-style environment. Upon arrival students are provided with breakfast and work with trusted adults to set personal goals. Pratt explained that for math many students were missing fact fluency and after being provided with stepping stones supplement kits a majority of students improved.

Hayashi stated that the Strive HI reports including additional information will be posted publicly tomorrow.

Committee Chairperson Arakaki called for public testimony.

Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified that the attendance growth at Hilo Union Elementary School is remarkable and congratulated Kaumana Elementary School for using the data to drive strategies.

Committee Member Barcarse expressed appreciation for the presentation and noted that small schools bring the community together. Committee Vice Chairperson Dukelow also expressed appreciation for the presentation and the ability to identify the skills that were necessary to help students.

Ethan Yang, Board Student Representative stated that identifying the foundational levels are important and noted that during online school the test results reflect what was happening with students.

Committee Member Hattori expressed appreciation and encouraged the Department to find ways to use teachers as examples of success to inform practices for other schools.
Committee Vice Chairperson Dukelow expressed appreciation for the focus on growth.
Committee Chairperson Arakaki expressed appreciation for making the presentation simple to understand and for sharing amazing stories about what is happening in the schools. He emphasized the importance of being able to understand what is happening in schools.

IV. Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)

Committee Chairperson Arakaki reminded the Committee that pursuant to Board Policy 400-2 (Policies and Policy-setting), our process to change Board policies include referring an issue to the appropriate standing committee, approval of a policy draft by the committee, and committee recommendation of its approval to the full Board. Depending on today’s discussion, the Committee anticipates including approval of a policy draft for the matter before us, revised if needed, at our next Student Achievement Committee meeting on November 21, 2024, followed by recommendation to the full Board for approval at its general business meeting. He called on Hayashi to provide the Department’s proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8, entitled “Accreditation of Schools.”

Hayashi introduced Higashi, Richard Fajardo, Complex Area Superintendent, Pearl City-Waipahu, and Bryan Loo, Principal, Manana Elementary School, Higashi to present the recommendation to amend Board Policy 500-8 to focus accreditation on secondary schools. All department secondary schools and community schools for adults shall achieve and maintain accreditation. Elementary schools may continue accreditation or utilize a continuous school improvement process overseen by complex area superintendents. This amendment aims to concentrate accreditation on its primary purpose: ensuring high school student’s graduate from an accredited secondary school to gain access to scholarships, federal grants, student loans, admissions for colleges and universities, military programs, and career opportunities. Accreditation is important for secondary schools to determine the transferability of credits amongst institutions and our graduates’ eligibility for federal financial aid. Currently, all public schools undergo accreditation. Accreditation is a valuable tool for secondary schools, it may be duplicative for elementary schools. Complex Area Superintendents and elementary school principals have provided feedback that the process of accreditation can be duplicative and that without accreditation continuous school improvement would continue in their schools. For elementary schools, the amendment seeks to increase efficiency by allowing schools to focus on internal improvement processes and reduce administrative duplicative processes

Fajardo shared the general overview from the complex area plan and explained that it all starts with the strategic plan. The complex areas are vital and serve as the bridge from the state goals to the field which sets forth vision, direction, and initiatives to meet the unique needs of communities. The complex area academic plan includes the state metrics and goals but also includes the complex area academic plan. At any time if the complex area feels like schools are not on the right trajectory necessary staff can be deployed to help make the school goals attainable.

Loo explained that the demographics of schools are changing and noted that schools are still doing the work required in the accreditation process which can be duplicative. He expressed support to make the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation process optional for elementary schools. Higashi stated that elementary schools are resourced differently from secondary schools, and the complex area has procedures and policies in place for school improvement.

Committee Chairperson Arakaki called for public testimony on this agenda item.

Susan Pcola-Davis, member of the public, testified that a lot of time is spent on accreditation and expressed support for the proposal which helps elementary schools.

Committee Member Barcarse expressed support of the request and asked what resources are accessible to elementary schools when accredited. He also asked what happens for elementary schools who still decide to participate in accreditation and the funding source. Higashi replied that there are no additional resources as an accredited elementary school and explained that the Department needs to reexamine cost savings because it is a mandate so the state covers the cost for accreditation.

Committee Member Barcarse asked how much per school does accreditation cost.
Loo replied that it costs about $490 annually to be accredited by WASC.

Andrea Fukumoto, Educational Specialist, School Transformation Branch, stated that on average the cost is about $4,000 depending on the size of the school including an annual membership fee of $490 for elementary schools and $1,280 for secondary schools.

Committee Member Kuraya asked if other states only require secondary schools to complete accreditation. Higashi replied that accreditations vary by state. Committee Member Kuraya acknowledged that accreditation requires a lot of staff time and the process can be lengthy.

Committee Member Chung concurred that the WASC accreditation process is timely and expressed appreciation for the checks and balances with the complex area superintendents for their schools.

Committee Member Barcarse suggested amending the policy to supplement the rationale explaining why it is important for secondary schools. He proposed amending the policy as follows: “All department secondary schools and community schools for adults shall achieve and maintain accreditation. The accrediting agency shall be designated by the Superintendent.

Rationale: The accreditation process is a vehicle for school improvement involving a perpetual cycle of assessment, planning, implementing, monitoring, and reassessment.

Accreditations primary purpose is ensuring high school students graduate from an accredited secondary school to gain access to scholarships, federal grants, student loans, admissions for colleges and universities, military programs, and career opportunities. Accreditation is also important for secondary schools to determine the transferability of credits amongst institutions and our graduates’ eligibility for federal financial aid.”

Committee Chairperson Arakaki expressed appreciation and noted that it is good to hear about how the strategic plan reaches the complex areas and schools. He stated that the Committee is unable to vote on the proposed policy but will review it again on November 21, 2024.

V. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Arakaki adjourned the meeting at 11:45 p.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting

NAME	Organization	Agenda Item
David Sun-Miyashiro	HawaiiKidsCAN	Department of Education report on strategic plan key performance indicators: Strive HI 2024 report
Susan Pcola-Davis		Department of Education report on strategic plan key performance indicators: Strive HI 2024 report; Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Deborah Bond-Upson		Department of Education report on strategic plan key performance indicators: Strive HI 2024 report
Stacy Kawamura	Honowai Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Patrick Wetzel	Hickam Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
James Suster	Pearl City Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Malaea Wetzel	Haleiwa Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Derek Minakami	Hawaii Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association, President	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Bernadette Tyrell; Wade Araki; Kimi Ikeda; Pat Macadangdang; Danny Garcia; Walter Santiago; Derek Minakami; Wess Unten; Kathy Kahikina; Alex Obra	Castle Complex Principals	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Jennnifer Luke-Payne; Uilani Kaitoku; Loha Kaka; Donna Lindsey; Ikaika Plunket; Eliza Elkington	Kahuku Complex Principals	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Marianne Wheeler	Kula Elementary School	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Hannah Loyola	Kohala Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Ernest Muh	Helemano Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Sam Izumi	Castle-Kahuku Complex Area, Interim Complex Area Superintendent	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Neil Blomberg; Bryan Loo; Michael Sugano; Garrett Arakawa; Gavin Tsue; James Suster; Keith Hui; Kim Koga;	Pearl City School Elementary Principals	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Dale Arakaki; Bryan Gusman; Cameron Kubota; Jason Okamoto; Ned Uemae; Lenn Uyeda	Roosevelt Complex Elementary School Principals	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Garrett Yukumoto	Iliahi Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Dale Castro	Complex Academic Officer	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Tami Haili	Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Aaron Tominaga	Waipahu Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Stacy Kawamura; Aaron Tominaga; Hahn Nguyen; Alika Ahu; Sheldon Oshio; Alvan Fukuhara; Zachary Sheets; Pat Anbe	Waipahu Complex Principals	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)
Nikan Arapoff	Wailuku Elementary School, Principal	Department of Education proposal to revise Board Policy 500-8 (Accreditation of Schools)