STATE OF HAWAII
BOARD OF EDUCATION
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

Queen Liliuokalani Building
1390 Miller Street, Room 404
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Thursday, February 8, 2024


PRESENT:
Bill Arakaki, Chairperson
Lauren Moriarty, Vice Chairperson
Shanty Asher
Kaimana Barcarse
Kahele Dukelow
Warren Haruki
Ken Kuraya

ALSO PRESENT:
Keith Hayashi, Superintendent, Department of Education
Heidi Armstrong, Deputy Superintendent, Department of Education
Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent, Department of Education
Teri Ushijima, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, Department of Education
Kaui Sang, Director, Office of Hawaiian Education
Fern Yoshida, Administrator, Student Support Section, Department of Education
Christopher Sanita, Principal, Hana High & Elementary School, Department of Education
Kaui Tanaka, Principal, Maunawili Elementary School, Department of Education
Li-Ji Cao, Response to Intervention (RTI) Teacher, Maunawili Elementary School, Department of Education
Ahryanna McGuirk, 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 2:18 p.m.


II. Approval of Meeting Minutes of October 4, 2023, November 2, 2023, December 7, 2023, and January 11, 2024

ACTION: Motion to approve the Student Achievement Committee’s October 4, 2023, November 2, 2023, December 7, 2023, and January 11, 2024, meeting minutes. (Barcarse/Kuraya). The motion as amended carried through unanimous consent from all members present.

ACTION: Motion to amend the Student Achievement Committee’s October 4, 2023, meeting minutes under item III.A. to presentation on update on strategic plan desired outcome 1.1.3. “All students proficient in mathematics by the end of eighth grade, and those who are not proficient receive necessary and timely support to become proficient.” (Moriarty/Barcarse). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.


III. Discussion Items

Strategic Plan Desired Outcome 1.2.2., “All students demonstrate positive behaviors at school.” Heidi Armstrong, Deputy Superintendent of Academics introduced Fern Yoshida, Administrator, Student Support Section. Yoshida acknowledged that students' mental health is a priority and the Department is using data to guide ongoing initiatives. She noted that students still face mental health challenges and helping students with their mental health milestones help the system. The Department recognizes that everyday stressors with life and home attributes to mental health and work are being done to identify students who need help or interventions in school. The Department is looking to strengthen the Hawaii Multi-Tiered Support System (HMTSS) to address mental health to provide a safeguard for families and students. The program referred to as “Here to Help” provides a general landscape for most social-emotional learning programs and the Panorama survey integrates data perception results for academic, attendance, and behavior. The program, referred to as the “Yes Project,” aims to provide family support for the most vulnerable students who are experiencing housing instability to mitigate barriers our children face including a preschool at a shelter in Waianae offered by the YMCA, and a statewide contract with Uber to mitigate barriers to educational access. The Department will continue to work and coordinate with complex areas and noted that the Department is requesting 20 educational psychologists, continued funding for the Panorama survey and Trust Circle tools, and support for trauma-informed professional development. Kimberly Lessard, School-Based Behavioral Health District Educational Specialist, Hana-Lahaina-Lanai-Molokai Complex outlined the various ways that the Department is working to address equitable access to mental health services for the Lahaina school community include the following: (1) cognitive behavior intervention for trauma in schools and BounceBack training for counselors; (2) Let’s Cook Lahaina sessions for staff supported by the Department of Health (DOH); (3) teen groups for boarding students; (4) preparing for screener offered through Panorama Education; (5) signs of suicide (Erika’s Lighthouse) training; (6) on-going student support; (7) coordinating possible long-term and on-campus adult supports with DOH; (8) school counselors are working on grief groups; (9) all schools implementing social emotional learning (SEL); and (10) schools offered different types of trauma-informed interventions.

Li-Ji Cao, Response to Intervention (RTI) Teacher, Maunawili Elementary School, shared information regarding how the school is addressing social-emotional learning for students and adults including: (1) building a culture of understanding to make belonging “how we do business”; (2) identifying tools and programs to support students’ growth mindset and sense of belonging; (3) leveraging a Response to Intervention (RTI) framework to identify and address academic and social-emotional needs; and (4) impact on student growth.

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

Vanessa Ott, member of the public, suggested that the Board support SEL by modeling examples and emphasized that the Board needs to follow Robert’s Rules of Order.

Committee Chairperson Haruki referenced the request for Board support and emphasized that the items were not included in the Governor’s supplemental budget request so more advocacy at the legislature will need to happen. He asked if funding is received for the 20 school psychologist positions and how hard is it for the Department to fill. Armstrong replied that it is hard for the Department to fill the school psychologist positions and there is a partnership with Chaminade University to fill the positions. Committee Vice Chairperson Moriarty asked for clarification on the comment that the data does not show significant improvement. Armstrong replied that regarding the data from the behavior risk survey the Department will not be able to reach 100 percent because life has its ups and downs; however the Department is looking at being equipped to address children based on their unique situations. Committee Vice Chairperson Moriarty noted that if numbers are increasing it may not mean that problems are increasing rather that individuals are more comfortable sharing about problems and she would like to gain understanding on where progress is being made. Armstrong replied that the school quality survey helps the Department and acknowledged that problems will not go away but the tools will help to guide and provide support. Committee Vice Chairperson Moriarty expressed appreciation for the efforts for Maui families and asked what priority is not being addressed including comments on other measures to put in place when catastrophic events happen. Lessard shared that the Department is working hard to address the response to the recovery efforts and expressed concern on meeting the needs of staff.

Strategic Plan Desired Outcome 1.1.4, “All student groups perform equally well academically and show continued academic growth, irrespective of background and circumstances,” relating to Kaiapuni strategic plan. Tammi Oyadomari-Chun, Deputy Superintendent of Strategy, and Kaui Sang, Director, Office of Hawaiian Education (OHE) shared about the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) key initiatives.
Christopher Sanita, Principal, Hana High & Elementary School, shared about the Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) program at his school. He highlighted some of the growing pains and ways the school worked with the community on student achievement.

Committee Chairperson Arakaki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No public testimony was provided.

Committee Member Dukelow stated that creating plans for growth and development for all levels of education is important, she shared that Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) struggled to survive in the system and what is happening currently reflects the efforts. Committee Member Barcarse expressed appreciation for the dedication of Hana Elementary & High School which is a great example of a community working together. He also expressed appreciation for the increase to access and noted that no increases the budget and this will be a long road. Committee Member Haruki asked for clarification on why the budget has not increased in over a decade for Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion). Oyadomari-Chun replied that the general fund recurring budget has remained the same but personnel costs have increased which is not reflected.

Committee Members Asher, Barcarse, and Kuraya left the meeting at 3:57 p.m.

Committee Vice Chairperson Moriarty asked for insight on the process to share Hawaii to the world as outlined in slide 3 of the presentation. Sang replied that OHE will invite individuals to understand what Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) education looks like locally, nationally and globally. Committee Member Kuraya returned to the meeting at 4:05 p.m.


IV. Recommendation for Action
Committee Chairperson Arakaki called for public testimony on this agenda item. No public testimony was provided.

ACTION: Motion to approve the Board waiver of minimum instructional days and hours (section 302A-251, Hawaii Revised Statutes) for Maui schools. (Kuraya/Dukelow). The motion carried through unanimous consent from all members present.


V. Adjournment

Committee Chairperson Arakaki adjourned the meeting at 4:08 p.m.

List of the people who submitted written testimony before the meeting


NAME
Organization
Agenda Item
Alice LuckKauai Planning and Action Alliance, President & CEOIII.A. Review of Strategic Plan Desired Outcome 1.2.2, "All students demonstrate positive behaviors at school" Review of Strategic Plan Desired Outcome 1.2.2., "All students demonstrate positive behaviors at school"