Posted on: Thursday, November 4, 2004

Education Snapshot — Kihei Elementary School

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer

At Kihei Elementary School on Maui, principal Alvin Shima is optimistic the school will continue to improve.

After all, the school has shown so much improvement on its Hawai'i State Assessment scores that other schools have visited to find out what teachers are doing.

Two years ago, the school was unable to meet its math and reading proficiency targets, but after meeting the standards for the second year, the school is in good standing under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

This year 47 percent of students were proficient in reading and 27 percent were proficient in math.

What made the difference: Shima credits the teachers and support staff for being open to change and eager to learn new things as the school implemented a research-based reading program and a standards-based math program.

"Implementing the programs with fidelity has made a difference," he said.

How they did it: The school made several changes based on the school improvement plan required by the Department of Education. The school based its changes on data that showed the school's weaknesses and strengths.

"We looked at certain recommended programs, bought the programs, implemented the programs, and the results are beginning to show," Shima said.

Other factors: The school focuses on remediation, prevention and intervention for the roughly 30 percent of students who have difficulty with becoming proficient.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.