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POSTED: Sunday, September 06, 2009

More than 20 schools and educational programs on the Waianae Coast and in the Farrington Complex have been chosen as demonstration project sites for an initiative that aims to have every Hawaii third-grader reading by 2015.

The list was announced last month by the Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, a statewide effort led by the Good Beginnings Alliance, the state Department of Education and the University of Hawaii.

The goal is to increase the number of working-age Hawaii residents with two- or four-year college degrees to 55 percent by the year 2025.

Over the next five years, Hawaii P-20 will invest up to $1 million to develop what it is calling a P-3 model that will help students transition from early childhood programs through elementary school.

“;Children's early years provide critical opportunities to learn and to establish a strong foundation for learning,”; said Hugh Dunn, director of early learning programs for Hawaii P-20. “;The hope is that the demonstration sites will commit to training and P-20 can provide the technical assistance or funding.”;

According to the Hawaii State Assessment, 61 percent of third-graders were proficient in reading in 2007 and 2008, with a 1 percent increase in 2009.

The money, donated by the Michigan-based foundation formed by breakfast cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg, will fund activities related to seven focus areas, including leadership for literacy, teacher professional development and family school partnerships.

“;These communities that were selected outlined a coherent and integrated approach, for which partners will contribute equally to align practices and improve the P-3 outcomes, specifically in the area of literacy,”; Dunn said.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

P-3 DEMONSTRATION PROJECT SITES

Waianae

» The Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture

» Kamehameha Schools

» Keiki O Ka Aina early childhood programs

» Makaha Elementary

» Kamaile Academy

» Waianae Elementary

» Leihoku Elementary

» Maili Elementary

» Nanaikapono Elementary

» Nanakuli Elementary

Farrington Complex

» Kindergarten Children Aid Association Preschools of Hawaii

» Parents and Children Together

» Fern Elementary

» Kaewai Elementary

» Kalihi Elementary

» Kalihi-Kai Elementary

» Kalihi-Uka Elementary

» Kalihi-Waena Elementary

» Kapalama Elementary

» Linapuni Elementary

» Puuhale Elementary