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Since serving in interim leadership roles at the Department level, I have been exposed to a lot of the complexities involved in ensuring that our schools are on the right track. Under Supt. Kathryn Matayoshi’s leadership Hawai‘i’s educational system has been put on the national map for innovation and growth. 

We look forward to implementing the updated Strive HI Performance System, which takes an approach that supports student learning and school improvement in line with our updated Strategic Plan and flexibilities in federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act.

The new Strive HI System is an opportunity for schools to include locally selected measures of student success based on schools’ priorities, incorporates feedback from school communities, and removes the punitive ranking and classifications of schools; it now focuses on data that inform conversations about schools’ strengths, opportunities and needs.

Strive HI data for 2016-17  — coming in September — can help schools and communities pivot toward instructional or behavioral supports that work best for their schools, based on results. And we can be transparent in providing that information to the public so they understand the context in which schools are making important decisions and taking action to support students, with families and School Community Councils as partners.

The Board unanimously approved the submission of the Hawaii Consolidated State Plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act. Many school leaders and community members have voiced their support of the state’s ESSA Plan because of its significance in implementing elements of the Strategic Plan.

All of us in the Hawai‘i DOE — state offices, Complex Areas, and schools — are committed to making sure that students’ experience from kindergarten to graduation is seamless and empowering. Now we have clear plans with all systems aligned — the Governor’s Blueprint for Education, our Strategic Plan, the Strive HI System, and our ESSA Plan. This would not be possible without the input from our educators, community partners, and dedicated staff. 

We are on a path to build upon the momentum of transformation that has taken place over recent years. This is an exciting time for our public education system.

Keith Hayashi
Interim Superintendent