School Year 2021-22 Distance Learning Programs
News Release from Hawaii DoE, 21-Jul-2021
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) looks forward to safely reopening schools for daily in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.
“Welcoming back our students to our campuses is the priority for all schools. We look forward to engaging students through in-person learning paired with programs and services of high interest, including after-school programs, athletics, clubs and other extracurricular activities,” Deputy Superintendent Phyllis Unebasami said. “We continue to work closely with the state Department of Health to ensure we have clear guidance and COVID-related data to inform decision-making for our schools.”
In accordance with the Board of Education resolution passed on July 15, 2021, the HIDOE is also providing a list of schools offering distance learning programs for the 2021-22 school year.
Specifically, the resolution states:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board directs the Superintendent to develop and maintain an easily accessible listing of schools that offer distance learning programs along with a description of the distance learning program and whether those schools are currently accepting geographic exceptions to make it easy for families to find distance learning programs, which shall be available by July 21, 2021 on the Department’s website and shall be regularly updated.
For complex areas that have determined it is not feasible at this time to offer a school- or complex-based distance learning option due to low demand or capacity, the HIDOE will partner with these complex areas "to pool resources and expertise and reduce the burden on individual schools," in accordance with the Board resolution, to provide a distance learning option.
These complex areas currently include: Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani; Hilo-Waiakea; Castle-Kahuku; Baldwin-Kekaulike-Maui; Hana-Lahainaluna-Lanai-Molokai (elementary grades only) and Kailua-Kalaheo (elementary grades only).
Families interested in this state-based option will need to work with their child's school principal to discuss eligibility criteria. There are limited seats on a first come, first served basis. The principal will make a referral to the state for eligible students.
LINK: Guide to School Year 2021-22 Distance Learning Programs
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HIDOE distance learning plan calls for simultaneous instruction BOE promised would not happen
News Release from HSTA, July 21, 2021
The release of distance learning options for families late Wednesday by the Hawaii State Department of Education “is a positive step, but from what we see, teachers are still going to be expected to teach simultaneously online and in-person which the Board of Education last week agreed should not happen,” Hawaii State Teachers Association President Osa Tui, Jr. said.
Developing and carrying out effective instruction for both in-person and online students at the same time is extremely challenging and doesn’t fully provide for students’ needs.
“We hope that the department will ensure that schools intending to offer synchronous instruction develop alternative solutions that will best support all keiki and align with what the BOE promised parents, students, and educators on Thursday,'” Tui added.
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