It's all part of the outspoken Theroux's campaign to remind parents, neighbors and anyone else who will listen about all that is good and working at Keaukaha Elementary, smack in the Hawaiian homesteads next to Hilo airport on the Big Island.

Now that Keaukaha has achieved coveted "Adequate Yearly Progress" for the first time under the federal No Child Left Behind guidelines, Theroux plans to step up the tempo with a mini-recruitment effort at community meetings in Keaukaha.

"Anybody who's left to go to charter school or to another district because you were dismayed by low test scores in the past, I want you to look at our statistics now and maybe think of returning," Theroux said.

Like Keaukaha, the entire school system has been buoyed by a string of good news, from higher test scores, more schools meeting stringent state standards and recognition for outstanding schools and educators, including Hawai'i's first national principal of the year.

As a result, a new optimism has begun to take root in a school system long criticized as under-performing.

Payoff beginning

"We're happy and proud about what we're doing."

For all the criticism that greeted the federal No Child Left Behind Act, educators say it — more than anything — has forced struggling schools to take a hard look at their programs and find ways to boost student achievement.

This process is beginning to pay off for a number of schools. For example, Nanakuli Elementary, which was already planning for restructuring because of low test scores, met all the standards for the first time this year and will be a school in good standing if it does the same next year. Others are well on their way, thanks to new academic programs or entirely restructured schools.

Even schools that have been unable to meet all the NCLB criteria are encouraged that they have clear targets and have developed strategies to hit them.

As schools see gains, they are inspired to keep the momentum going, according to Campbell High principal Gail Awakuni, who recently won a prestigious national principal of the year award.

"I think if they see the results of their work, they will tell you that they don't mind working harder and smarter to be more efficient," she said.

Positive energy

Schools have also been energized by the focus the federal and state governments, and even the media, have put on improving education.

"I think it's a collective effort of everybody realizing that change is here and we all need to work together for the common good of improving education," she said. "I think it's empowering all of us to do what we need to get the job done. No excuses, just do it."

Even the schools that have been able to "do it" worry about meeting the standards as they become more rigorous, but are encouraged by their progress.

Keaukaha Elementary School principal Joseph Theroux displays weekly progress reports on a bulletin board at a local market to remind the community about the progress made at his school. Kevin Dayton • The Honolulu Advertiser

In September, Campbell High School Principal Gail Awakuni was named the National Principal of the Year. Advertiser library photo

The school has seen progress every year, and made the DOE's honor roll this year when third-graders surpassed national benchmarks on standardized tests, Burkman said. "We're very optimistic about the future. We feel very good about the teaching and learning that's going on in the classroom, especially with standards-based learning," he said.

Hashimoto said the drive to meet the standards places an added burden on teachers, but the overall effect is a better school system. "I think it's improving the schools," he said. "Everyone is trying harder and finding ways to improve."

Keaukaha Elementary's Theroux said teachers have been willing to set aside familiar teaching methods to learn better ways to reach their students.

"It has to come from the heart," Theroux said. "They have to have the brains to learn it and the willingness and the humility to say, 'This is something I should learn because my kids could benefit from it.' "

Pride spreading

The drive to improve has trickled down from the administration to the support staff, as even custodians have started contributing to school improvement plans.

"I think people take more pride in their work if they have more ownership," said Carolyn Kawamata, president of the state's educational assistant association.

As further evidence that the federal and state mandates are prodding schools forward, Kawamata pointed out that many educational assistants have decided to train as teachers, since many needed additional education anyway under NCLB.

"You can't just keep saying, 'We can't do this' or 'We can't do that.' If we do we're not going to go anywhere or we'll be stuck like we have been," Kawamata said.

Department of Education Superintendent Pat Hamamoto said schools also are more willing to share their successes these days as they reach out for the partnerships they need to meet their goals.

More needs to be done

But despite the improvements, the DOE does not anticipate an easy road ahead.

"There's still a sense that there's a lot more that needs to be done and the resources of time and other resources don't come as easily or as quickly as we want," Hamamoto said.

But with more changes on the way, there's hope that the schools can build on their momentum.

Reforms such as the standards-based report card and the weighted student formula for funding will help, say the schools that have piloted the programs.

Kea'au Middle School principal Jamil Ahmadia said he likes the flexibility principals will have under the weighted student formula, as they will be able to determine which areas need more financial support, such as tutoring, special equipment or supplies.

"Each school has its own unique needs," he said. "With the new changes, it's going to provide the flexibility for us to tailor our academic and financial plans to meet the specific needs of our schools."

Pedro and Vivian S. Delos Santos, parents of two Keaukaha students and one who just moved on to Hilo Intermediate, say the changes at the elementary school have been wonderful, especially given the limited resources the school has to work with.

"It's a great school," said Pedro Delos Santos. Given adequate resources, "it absolutely ... has the potential to excel."

Vivian Delos Santos said the school has kept parents informed as it has updated its curriculum and focused on the standards. "They're helping the parents and families in the area of what is expected of them to help their children," she said.

Her husband pointed out that since parents make sure their children finish their homework and study, improved test scores validate what is going on at home, as well as in the classroom. "We're proud of that and Keaukaha should be, too," he said.

Others excited, too

Even outside the schools the new can-do attitude is apparent.

David Kobashigawa, parent of a Pearl City High senior and Waipahu High graduate, is so enthusiastic about the changes at his alma mater that he agreed to serve on the community council.

"I have the feeling they were looking for a vehicle to make changes and really grab the bull by the horns," he said. "It's really interesting."

An Advertiser poll in October found the outlook for public schools positive, and not just for performance but for physical changes like the improved appearance and clean playground at Ala Wai Elementary. Keaukaha Elementary also shows improvement here, with innovations that include new uniform T-shirts for students and air-conditioning throughout the school.

And key business executives who have joined with the DOE's efforts to enact the education reform act passed by the state Legislature last session like what they're seeing.

The reforms will make it easier to pinpoint what works and what doesn't, said David Carey of Outrigger Enterprises Inc.

But already he believes the school system is headed in the right direction.

"Change is hard for everyone, but I believe we're making progress," Carey said. "I'm optimistic it will happen."