Leading with the state’s vision for education, public input sought on Strategic Plan

The Department of Education (DOE) and Board of Education (BOE) are seeking critical public input on a review and extension of its joint Strategic Plan.

News Release from Hawaii DoE April 22, 2016

​HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE) and the Board of Education (BOE) are seeking public input on a review and extension of its joint Strategic Plan.  The Strategic Plan, which was last updated in 2012, is a combined effort to further develop comprehensive strategies focused on three foundational goals of quality education: Student Success, Staff Success and Successful Systems of Support.  Public input is essential for revisions and updates that will be included in the development of the 2017-2020 extension of the Joint DOE/BOE Strategic Plan.

"Over the past five years, we've experienced great progress in our public school system and our schools," said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. "To help all students reach their aspirations, we are taking a close look at lessons learned and ongoing challenges."

Notable progress includes reduction of chronic absenteeism, improvement in high school-level academic achievements and increasing college enrollments.  The number of high school students taking college-level courses for dual credit, for example, rose four percentage points between the graduating classes of 2013 and 2015.  The number of graduates enrolled in college also rose by six percentage points between 2010 and 2015.

HIDOE is seeking the input of students, teachers, school leaders and community partners to help define student success and support student aspirations. This valuable feedback will be reviewed and incorporated into the revised Strategic Plan for presentation to BOE in December 2016.

Tammi Chun, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent of the Office of Strategy, Innovation, and Performance, said, "The passage of the new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is a critical opportunity to reconsider our current strategies and indicators for success."

ESSA, which replaces No Child Left Behind, provides more flexibility to states to direct their own educational strategies to support states' goals, while keeping several federal requirements tied to funding in place. The Strategic Plan sets the vision for Hawaii's public school system, supported with strategies and objectives for the state's students, educators and schools. The BOE approved the review and extension at its General Business Meeting on January 19.

"We plan to lead with the vision in our state's Strategic Plan, and use the input of stakeholders across Hawaii, and the flexibility granted by ESSA, to support that vision," Chun stated. "The state plan for ESSA will align with this effort so the targets in the Strategic Plan and our use of federal resources meet the requirements under the new law, while taking advantage of the new flexibilities awarded to states."

Here's how the public can provide input:

• Take the survey (through May 31) at the Strategic Plan community conversation blog, where you can also leave a post with ideas for students and schools: hiqualityed.tumblr.com​.
• Email input directly to StrategicPlan@notes.k12.hi.us, or mail to Office of Strategy, Innovation and Performance, P.O. Box 2360, Honolulu, HI, 96804.
• The DOE is providing monthly Strategic Plan progress updates to the BOE. The public is invited to submit testimony to the Board when it is on the agenda.
• Join the conversation on social media with #HIQualityEd.

For more information about the review and extension effort, visit bit.ly/DOEBOEstratplan​.

The DOE will work collaboratively with a separate effort announced by Gov. David Ige on April 14 to form an ESSA team, comprised of 17 individuals, which plans to hold an education summit and town hall meetings.

Since January, the DOE has been providing ESSA analysis and information to the BOE, Legislature, educators and the public, including presentations, informational materials (video, handouts, FAQs) and meetings with principals to gather their input.

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