LIHUE — Two Kauai high schools showed the highest growth in English Language Arts/Literacy in the recenty released 2016-2017 Strive HI Performance System results “I must thank the teachers, support staff, administrators, families, business and community partners from all Kauai
LIHUE — Two Kauai high schools showed the highest growth in English Language Arts/Literacy in the recenty released 2016-2017 Strive HI Performance System results
“I must thank the teachers, support staff, administrators, families, business and community partners from all Kauai schools for contributing to the success and improvement in teaching and learning,” said Bill Arakaki, Kauai Complex Area superintendent. “Most important, I must recognize our students for their persistence and hard work each and every day in class.”
The number of Kauai High students that met or exceeded standards in English Language Arts increased by 17 percent compared to the 2014-2015 school year, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education.
Kauai High also placed seventh on the state list of highest achieving schools in Math growth.
“Our supportive parents encourage their children to take school seriously,” Kauai High Principal Anne Kane said. “Our dedicated teachers keep students focused not only on graduation but a successful post high school career; and our students engage in all the academics and activities that Kauai High has to offer.”
The school ranked eighth on the state list of about 50 schools for its 90 percent graduation rate. Kauai High students have met ACT benchmarks at a faster rate than the state overall for every subject assessed.
“Kauai High’s excellent rate of four-year graduation, our growth in academic achievement, our increases in ACT scores and the low absenteeism rate indicate that our three-part team of parents/teachers/students is working well,” Kane said.
Kapaa High School equally showed improvements in English Language Arts. The number of students that exceeded standards increased 17 percent from the 2014-2015 school year and 8 percent compared to 2015-2016.
Kapaa Middle ranked fourth on the state list for being the highest achieving middle school in reducing chronic absenteeism.
“I am very proud of all schools on Kauai for their hard work and efforts toward providing our students with the opportunity to learn and grow so they can be successful in college, careers and in life,” Arakaki said.
He said he also wanted to recognize the Kapaa High School, Kauai High School, Waimea High School, Kapaa Middle School and Waimea Canyon Middle School for being in the list of the top performing schools in the respective areas of the Strive HI Indicators/Results.
While statewide overall results in English, Math and Science have shown growth over the past three years, the results were mixed compared to 2016.
Science was up 4 percent from 2016 and up 5 percent from 2015. Mathematics was up 1 percent from 2015, but there was no change from 2016. English Language Arts/Literacy was up 2 percent from 2015 and down 1 percent from 2016.
The school accountability system focuses on state and schools’ progress on Strategic Plan Student Success Objectives and provides educators and communities with information to take action for student learning.
Statewide, 15 percent of students were absent 15 or more days during each of the last two school years according to the report. The number of students enrolled statewide was 179,902, and 83 percent graduated on time last year.
“The results are encouraging and show our focus moving in the right direction with college and career readiness measures remaining steady, including some growth in Science,” said Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto.
