1.  Expanded Learning Time/Professional Learning Communities

Ho'okāko'o has adopted Expanded Learning Time (ELT) as an educational innovation at its schools. ELT involves lengthening the school day, school week, or school year for all students by at least 30 percent; providing educational programs that combine academics with enrichment for a robust and well‐rounded student experience, including 'Ike Hawai'i cultural/place-based learning opportunities; and supporting teachers by giving them more time for professional learning communities, planning, and professional development.

 

2.  Common Core State Standards

Ho'okāko'o has begun to implement Common Core State Standards (CCSS) at all three schools aimed at student achievement and college and career readiness.  CCSS is a nationwide initiative to establish a set of common learning expectations for Mathematics, English Language Arts and literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects.

 

3.  Early Childhood Education

Ho'okāko'o believes that learning during a child’s early formative years is critical to their future academic success. Ho'okāko'o provides early education programs that range from center-based preschools, informal parent/child interactive programs and prenatal programs that serve expecting mothers .

 

4.  Teacher Growth & Evaluation/ Pay for Performance (P4P)

Ho'okāko'o has implemented a teacher professional growth and evaluation model that encourages professional development and professional growth planning. Incorporated into the model is “Pay-for-Performance” that provides for teacher pay enhancements based on higher levels of individual and collaborative teacher performance that in turn result in higher levels of student achievement.

 

5.  Response to Intervention

Ho'okāko'o has developed Response to Intervention frameworks that ensure differentiated and targeted interventions are designed and implemented to ensure the success of ALL students. All Ho'okāko'o schools are implementing a variety of RTI models and strategies that may include:

•  Using data to identify RTI learning tiers and groupings of students based on their academic and behavior                    strengths and needs;

•  Implementing inclusion, pull out and/or self‐contained models for teaching and learning; and

•  An array of rigorous and relevant RTI intervention programs and strategies aligned with the common core                  standards.

 

6.  Readiness to Learn

An integral part of the Expanded Learning Time model are Ho'okāko'o’s Readiness to Learn programs. HC schools provide an array of RTL programs, including but not limited to:

•  College and career readiness support services;

•  Exploration and whole‐child learning experiences (arts, music, physical education, 'Ike Hawai'i);

•  Culture and community-based learning opportunities (service learning, student leadership opportunities,                    mālama ʻāina projects);

•  Values‐based programs for character development and positive behavior support;

•  Healthy and physical well‐being programs and services; and

•  Parent and community involvement programs.

 

7.  Formative Assessments & Data Systems

To effectively implement HC’s priority innovations, schools must have quality student data, including timely formative assessment data to plan for instruction and intervention strategies for each student. HC has provided leadership and technical support for schools in the adoption and/or development of formative assessments and data systems that facilitate easy access, maintenance, and use of assessment data for student achievement.

 

8.  Leadership & management Framework

Ho'okāko'o employs systems and organizational approach (SOA) to school improvement, including an audit process and indicators of success for 8 system elements:

•  Student Learning and Achievement

•  Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

•  Student Support Services

•  Leadership and Governance · Human Resource Management

•  Communication and Marketing

•  Organization Structures and Operations

•  Finance and Resource Management

 

9.  Instructional Technology

Instructional technology serves the dual role of providing teachers with the technological tools to deliver innovative instruction and assess student learning while also exposing students to the use of technology and opportunities for career readiness. HC has provided leadership and technical support for schools as they develop technology plans and research new opportunities for instructional technology