HIDOE announced itscommitment to reset careereducation by adding rigor andvalue to programs preparinghigh school graduates for high-skilled, high-demand jobs.

Using data and partnershipswith community employers,HIDOE will design morerigorous career readinesspathways that span secondaryand postsecondary levels,culminating in credentials forstudents. The Council of ChiefState School Officers (CCSSO)is facilitating this work in linewith its Career Readiness TaskForce, which seeks programimprovements by enlisting theemployer community as a lead

partner; raising the threshold forquality career pathways insecondary schools; and makingcareer preparation matter byexpanding performance systemsto emphasize career readiness.

HIDOE high schools alreadymaking progress in raising thebar toward these goals include

Waipahu High, for its nationallyaccredited Health and Sciencesand Natural Resources, andFarrington High’s HealthAcademy, one of 12 schoolsnationwide to earn the U.S.Dept. of Education’s SecretaryAward for OutstandingVocational Technical Education.

In its first year under a morerigorous test, the SmarterBalanced Assessment resultsshow HIDOE students continueto move in the right direction inmeeting higher expectations.

Statewide, 41 percent met or

exceeded the achievementstandard in math; 48 percentmet or exceeded the EnglishLanguage Arts/Literacy (ELA)

standard. More than 89,000students took the SBA — a 97percent participation rate.

On the basis of their 11thgrade scores, more than 5,000seniors already qualify forcollege-level classes.

Superintendent’s

EDUCATION UPDATE

/HIDOE808/HIDepartmentofEducationHawaiiPublicSchools.org /HIDOE808 doe_info@hawaiidoe.orgCONNECT

HAWAII STATE DEpARTMENT OF EDUCATION | OCTOBER 2015

OpportunitiesEDUCATORS

Have you implemented aninnovative K-12 program at yourschool in computer science,engineering, and/orentrepreneurship? AllenDistinguished Educatorsreceive $25,000 as a sign ofrecognition for their pioneeringwork. Due Nov. 1. www.allendistinguishededucators.org.

Next up in the free STEMplusworkshop series for educatorswho are interested in connectingclassroom to citizen science —“Ahupua‘a: Monitoring WaterQuality” at Iolani School onTuesday, Oct. 20, 4:30-7:00 p.m.Register: goo.gl/Pt9Dwa.

The Fulbright DistinguishedAwards in Teaching Programoffers a unique professionaldevelopment opportunityconducting educational researchabroad for 3 to 6 months. Applyby Nov. 4. www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org.

SCHOOLS

Every seed planted in a schoolgarden sprouts a newopportunity for kids to cultivatehealthful eating habits. Teachingkids to garden helps them learnabout complex topics such assustainability and conservation,food systems, and communityawareness. Apply for a $2,000School Garden Grant Programvia the Whole Kids Foundationand FoodCorps. Due Oct. 31.www.wholekidsfoundation.org/schools/programs/school-garden-grant-program.

STUDENTS DID WELL ONCHALLENGING EXAMFrom the Hawaii BusinessRoundtable’s Terry Georgeand Harry Saunders: “Here isthe bottom line — publicschool students in Hawaii didbetter than experts expectedon a test that measures farmore complex knowledgethan the old test did.Story: bit.ly/SBAHI14-15hbr

150 YEARS OF BLACK & GOLD TRADITIONMcKinley High is celebrating150 years of Tiger pride withevents throughout this schoolyear. A luau was held Sept.25; upcoming events includePride and Tradition Day (Feb.26), a community fair (March12), and the 150thAnniversary Gala (April 28). Story: bit.ly/McKinley150

WAIAHOLE EL DIVES INTOFUTURE READY HAWAIIStudents grades 2-6 recentlybegan using their own school-issued Chromebooksthroughout the day as part ofa program that developsleaders for the digital age.One 5th grader’s reaction: “I have never in my lifelearned this much in a month.”Story: bit.ly/WaiaholeFR

“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” — Pablo Picasso

Advancing careerpathways for students

Hawaii’s SBA results show promiseFULL REPORT

bit.ly/SBAHI14-15

Success Stories

Seventy Farrington High School students were inducted into theschool’s Health Academy in a ceremony on Sept. 24.

It’s been an unusually hotsummer in Hawaii — climatechange and the El Nino weatherevent have combined to create aseason of hotter sea temps,vanishing tradewinds and highhumidity. It’s been miserable,particularly in our classroomswithout air conditioning or realheat abatements.

The problem is vast andexpensive, but we will fix it.Here’s where we stand:

Cooling Projects: We have aspreadsheet showing all AC andheat abatement projects acrossour schools, including those thathave been funded and added to

our FacTrakproject system,and those thathave been completed.It includes data from an ongoingsurvey of schools to find out howmany individual buildings haveAC. This list is updated weekly:bit.ly/heatprojects.

Capital ImprovementProjects budget: Heatabatement funding belongs to an“Equity” bucket which received$15 million of the $91 millionwe requested in the last budgetcycle. We asked the state foremergency dispensation to movefunds from another bucket to

accelerate projects. We wereapproved to shift $20 millionfrom funds dedicated for othermaintenance use. Learn more:bit.ly/DOEbudget.

Hawaii 3Rs: Mahalo to thosewho pitched in with emergencyfunds via the Cool Schools 2015campaign, especially CentralPacific Bank Foundation($25,000). We’ve purchased 404portable AC units that are beingdeployed to schools now (withthe help of Hawaiian Airlines,which offset costs of shipping).You can help: hawaii3rs.com/cool-schools-2015.

Smart Projects: While AC is

planned for the hottest schools,we face big hurdles adding iteverywhere: Cost to install andmaintain, and cost to power it.Our heat study details energyefficient projects that can driveclassroom temps down to 76degrees — cool roofs, PVAC,solar-powered ventilators withnight flushing, and more. Theseare long-term solutions, projectsto be funded in the CIP budget,then scheduled. Access the studyhere: bit.ly/HeatStudy.

Education Update is a monthly newsletter by the Department of Education’s Communications and Community Affairs Office, distributed to schools, the first Board of Education meeting of the month and posted online at HawaiiPublicSchools.org. We encourage submissions! Please send to: 1390 Miller Street, Rm 312, Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone: (808) 586-3232; Email: doe_info@hawaiidoe.org.

Supt.’s Corner

EDUCATION UpDATE › OCTOBER 2015 › BACK pAGE

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Don’t Miss This! EVENTS, DEADLINES & FUN STUFF

NOV 18 ›››

GIS DAY AROUND THE WORLDAn international celebration ofGeographic Information Systemstechnology to demonstrate real-worldapplications that are making adifference in society. Connect withgisday.com to see events in Hawaii andglobally, plus great classroom ideas andresources. And request FREE software,training and more on the Hawaii K12GIS Distribution Center:www.womenintech.com/GISDistributionCenter

NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH

#THANKAPRINCIPAL!Our school leaders do heavy lifting —setting the tone and vision for theschool, supporting and elevatingteachers, connecting with students andfamilies to help them realize theireducational dreams, providing directionand a safety net when students struggle— keeping it all on target. This month,take a moment to thank them, and ifyou’re feeling inspired, enter thePrincipal Props Video Contest:www.principalsmonth.org/contest

NOV 3 & 4

FACING FUTUREThe Schools of the FutureConference returns to the HawaiiConvention Center to tackle DeeperLearning & Common Core; Multimedia,Gaming & Simulations;Mobile Learning &1:1 Strategies;Early ChildhoodLearning; ArtsIntegration;more!www.sotfconf.org

‹

OCT 22, 29 & NOV 12

CONNECT WITH MALAMA HONUAK-12 educators are encouraged toregister for the newest round of Wa‘aTalks to connect with learning throughthe Worldwide Voyage — dockside withthe Hikianalia as she voyages aroundOahu. Please pre-register online, spaceis limited: bit.ly/1JZWqN2

NOV 7

EDCAMP HONOLULUThis annual "UNconference" ofparticipant-driven professionaldevelopment returns to PunahouSchool. Attendees set the schedule andlead sessions full of rich discussions,cool demonstrations, and plenty ofhands-on learning. Register for free:www.edcamphi.org