CRDG Wins $5.6 Million in Native Hawaiian Education Program Grants

The Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) in the College of Education was awarded two grants under the 2009 Native Hawaiian Education program (NHEP). Kako‘o Ikaika: Supporting Adolescent Hawaiian Students to Achieve High Standards will receive $2.5 million total for three years. Heluhelu Maoli: Building Strong Foundations in Reading and Mathematics will receive $3.1 million total for three years. Both projects are formal partnerships between CRDG and the Hawai‘i Department of Education.

Kako‘o Ikaika will work with three middle/intermediate schools and their corresponding high schools to build a Response to Intervention (RTI) model that provides a multi-tiered system for literacy and behavior supports. The project will provide high-quality professional development and training on adolescent literacy skills and Positive Behavior Support. Project staff will include master teachers and school-based part-time teachers who will provide supports to schools in the implementation of project activities. It is anticipated that the project will directly serve 1,700 Hawaiian students, 300 parents, and 500 school staff.

Heluhelu Maoli will provide early and strategic supports that build important foundational reading and mathematics concepts and knowledge in K–3 students. Eleven elementary schools that serve high percentages of students of Hawaiian ancestry are participating in Heluhelu Maoli. Activities will include developing high-quality implementation of a school-wide reading program; increasing focus and resources for students who are in need of targeted reading interventions; developing high-quality mathematics instruction and supports for struggling first graders; and maintaining an extensive database on K–3 reading and mathematics performance of Hawaiian children. It is anticipated that the project will directly serve over 2,800 Hawaiian students, 1,000 parents, and 300 teachers and school staff.

Morris Lai from CRDG is the director of both projects. “These two grants enable us to build upon and expand our previous projects, which have solid data showing effectiveness. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Education to address major educational needs of Hawaiian as well as other students in Hawai‘i.”

October 5, 2009
Jennifer Parks
808-956-4388