The Department of Education expects to take a giant step to support redesigning the state's public high and middle schools by putting millions of dollars into the budget next year to help all schools launch the process.

The process is under way at 13 schools, thanks to federal grants.

But one high school principal warned there will continue to be opposition from those not ready for change.

"There's going to be resistance, don't kid yourself," said Roosevelt High School principal Dennis Hokama yesterday during a Board of Education committee meeting.

"We're changing the whole system, and there's a need to do it," said Hokama, whose school has been involved in redesign with seven other schools since 2003.

Resistance to redesign at Kalani High School into small learning communities called freshmen and sophomore "houses" helped topple the school's principal after a handful of parents complained to the board about the way change was being implemented.

Small learning communities that pay more detailed attention to students in the vulnerable ninth- and 10th-grade transition years especially — and then focus learning around career pathways — have been put into effect across the country to bolster high school graduation rates and stem the number of dropouts.

But there's been a backlash against some small learning communities because of concerns about their autonomy and the speed of change.

Yesterday, supporters told board members that at the majority of Hawai'i schools where small learning communities are in place, scores are getting better, more students are taking Advanced Placement classes, and fewer ninth graders are failing.

Both board member Denise Matsumoto and former principal Maggie Cox expressed their support, with Cox saying she thinks redesign into small learning communities is a "wonderful" move for schools.

Kalaheo High School principal James Schlosser told committee members that to sustain the dramatic changes being seen will require additional resources. The first federal grant runs out next year.

"This can't happen overnight because we're trying to change a culture," said Schlosser, calling on the board to establish policies and procedures that would solidify their support.

Department officials don't yet know how much money they expect to request to launch redesign in the middle and high schools. It's now costing about $160,000 minimum at each school annually. But assistant superintendent Katherine Kawaguchi said the department wouldn't be able to commit that much money per school.

Schools superintendent Pat Hamamoto said the department strongly supports redesign of the secondary schools because it focuses on student achievement as well as student choice.

"The best practices talk about personalized instruction," she said. "How do you help students to become independent learners? To motivate them to want to learn. My dream for every high school graduate is that they're able to choose college or a career and have the chance to be successful. This provides kids with hands-on experiences. Whether it's called an 'SLC' or an 'academy' or a 'house,' the whole idea is to provide opportunities for independent learning. It's how to motivate kids."

Award-winning Campbell High School principal Gail Awakuni said she has seen hopeful signs at her school after ninth-graders were grouped in "houses" within their own separate building. The failure rate of ninth-graders has dropped, more students have stayed in school and the numbers taking AP classes have increased by 161 percent.

"We wanted to make it palatable to keep our kids in school," said Awakuni.

The federal grants that are now funding the Small Learning Communities at 13 high schools have paid for teacher training, new technology, and the addition of teachers to enable team teaching.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com.