LIHU‘E — Despite a drop in the number of Kaua‘i public schools that have met federal standards this year, local schools have shown an overall improvement, according to Bill Arakaki, Kaua‘i Complex superintendent at the state Department of Education. The
LIHU‘E — Despite a drop in the number of Kaua‘i public schools that have met federal standards this year, local schools have shown an overall improvement, according to Bill Arakaki, Kaua‘i Complex superintendent at the state Department of Education.
The DOE on Tuesday released data showing statewide improvements in every school grade in the 2012 Hawai‘i State Assessment, which helped 17 additional public schools statewide to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, a measure by which public schools are held accountable for student performance under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
“The remarkable growth in reading and math proficiency for all grade levels is a direct reflection of the hard work of our educators and students,” DOE Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said in a press release.
Out of 286 schools statewide, including 31 public charter schools, 133 schools (49 percent) achieved AYP results this year.
Last year, 117 schools (41 percent) had met AYP standards.
The achievement also prompted praises from Gov. Neil Abercrombie, state Board of Education Chairman Don Horner, U.S. Rep Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai‘i, and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who said the results mirror the “sincere dedication” of state and local leaders, and principals and teachers toward improving Hawai‘i’s education system.
But on Kaua‘i, despite some growth, only four out of 20 public schools met AYP standards.
Last year, five Kaua‘i schools had met AYP standards. There are 15 public schools and 4 public charter schools on Kaua‘i. Ni‘ihau has one school, which is part of the Kaua‘i Complex.
The Kaua‘i schools that met AYP standards last year were Hanalei and Koloa elementary schools, Ni‘ihau School and two public charter schools: Kanuikapono and Kula Aupuni Ni‘ihau.
This year, Kula Aupuni Ni‘ihau and Koloa and Hanalei Elementary schools kept up with the standards. Kalaheo Elementary School improved from last year and also met the AYP standards.
But Ni‘ihau and Kanuikapono did not meet the standards and dropped off the list.
Overall, elementary, middle and high schools on Kaua‘i all improved or maintained their grades in math and reading proficiency from last year.
“I am proud of all schools that showed growth in their reading and math proficiency rates,” said Arakaki, adding his thanks to teachers, support staff, families, community members, businesses and school administrators have who have supported the students in their annual progress.
Six Kaua‘i schools missed their goals in only one or two cells, including Wilcox and ‘Ele‘ele Elementary schools, Kapa‘a Middle School, Kapa‘a and Waimea High schools and Ni‘ihau School.
“I applaud their efforts,” Arakaki said of the schools that narrowly missed the standards.
“We still have areas in which we need to improve and work on to attain our targets.”
Statewide, local improvements
Statewide, there were reading improvements between 3 and 6 percent in every grade compared to last year, and math results improved between 2 and 6 percent in every grade compared to last year.
The statewide overall improvement this year for all grades in both subjects was 5 percent.
For Kaua‘i, Arakaki provided a chart measuring overall results for elementary, middle and high schools.
Kaua‘i elementary schools reached 67 percent proficiency in reading (65 percent in 2011) and 60 percent proficiency in math (58 percent in 2011).
Kaua‘i middle schools reached 67 percent proficiency in reading (72 percent in 2011) and 60 percent proficiency in math (59 percent in 2011).
Kaua‘i high schools reached 74 percent proficiency in reading (68 percent in 2011) and 43 percent proficiency in math (36 percent in 2011).
Raising the bar
When Hawai‘i first started taking the assessment tests in 2008, the standards to be met were much lower than the current ones.
Between 2008 and 2010 the standard to be met in math was 46 percent proficiency, and in reading it was 58 percent proficiency.
In 2011 and 2012, the standard to be met in math raised to 64 percent, and the standard to be met in reading raised to 72 percent.
Next year, the bar will be raised again.
“What’s going to happen in 2013, the goal for language and arts proficiency reading will be 86 percent and the goal for math will jump up to 82 percent,” Arakaki said.
“It’ going to be a little bit harder once the targets move up.”
Visit http://doe.k12.hi.us for more information.
• Léo Azambuja can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@thegardenisland.com.
