Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School for Native Hawaiians

A public charter school has 100% Native students over 50% requiring special education. They seek to improve services and staff skills through curriculum development and in-service training. Project provided up to 5 consultations per week of the school year for special ed staff, established database, reviewed portfolios, and advised on federal and state requirements. Unusual features included extensive project based learning and blending modern with indigenous (Hawaiian) educational practices. Fifty children with special needs improved educational outcomes and quality of life. 

The outcomes are: 

1. Creating Futures at CDS offered assistance with Special Education Campacity for a small, rigorous public charter school As a result , the need of youth (grdes 6-12) were much better identified. Over 50% were formally classified for special education and many others had special needs but parents did not want a classification. 
2. Most of the needs identified were (a) more than 2 years behind (sometimes 4 or 5) in basic educational performance – language arts and/or mathematics; (b) behavior problems. The school agreed to use TeenACE Reading, writing, and ACE Puzzles (math) both in class and afterschool. 
3. Training has begun for 12 teachers and educational assistants in supplementary literacy and mathematics. Extensive curriculum development is underway, emphasizing project based learning. School attendance runs at 95%, versus 30%-80% for the same youth previously at regular schools.

Principal Investigator: Peter Dowrick