The Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) is an organized research unit of the College of Education at the University of Hawai‘i. Established in 1966, CRDG
- Conducts research and creates, evaluates, disseminates, and supports educational programs that serve students, teachers, parents, and other educators in grades preK–12; and
- Contributes to the body of professional knowledge and practice in teaching and learning, curriculum development, program dissemination and implementation, evaluation and assessment, and school improvement.
During 2003, CRDG administered some 47 contracts and grants totaling over $10.5 million from agencies such as the Hawai‘i Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation. The ratio of external funding to general-fund support is currently 6:1.
CRDG operates the Education Laboratory: A Hawai‘i New Century Public Charter School (ELS) as its R & D laboratory under an agreement with the local school board. About 60% of the CRDG contracts and grants require access to the ELS students on a regular and ongoing basis.
ELS provides a K–12 student population in a controlled environment where CRDG faculty conducts its research and development work. Additionally, ELS serves as a demonstration site for improving K–12 education, while providing high quality education for its 378 students. The students, randomly selected to represent a broad cross section of the state population, provide feedback on ways all students can succeed.
Funding Agencies
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools Hawai‘i Department of Education
Hawai‘i Department of Health
Japan United States Friendship Commission
National Science Foundation
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Health
U.S. Department of State
University of Hawai‘iCo-Publishers
University of Hawai‘i Press Mutual Publishing
Bamboo Ridge Press
Oregon State University
Slimgoodbody Corporation
Videodiscovery, Inc.