CORE Assists Hawaiian Elementary School.

Makes Big Gains in Reading

BERKELEY, Calif. -- A small, struggling elementary school on the island of Maui, Hawaii, whose staff has worked closely with the Consortium on Reading Excellence (CORE), has experienced remarkable improvements in the reading test scores of its students. This year, Paia Elementary School has twice as many students meeting or exceeding state reading standards as it did in 2002. These gains are a tribute to the hard work of the school staff, the adoption of a reading curriculum based on scientific research, and the support and training provided by CORE.

Trouble in Paradise

Located on the fertile slope of Mount Haleakala, a 10,000-foot dormant volcano, Paia Elementary School is situated in sugar cane fields, at the edge of a now-abandoned sugar plantation. Established in 1908, it once enrolled more than 1000 students, nearly all of whom were children of plantation workers. When the plantation's owners shut down operations, the school's student population dwindled to its present level of slightly more than 200. About half of all students in this K-5 school study the Hawaiian language in a full-immersion program.

Tourists know the area as a great windsurfing spot, but the village of Paia, which is nearly two miles downhill from the school, is not exactly paradise. Of its 8000 families, 20% are headed by single mothers and 10% live in poverty, according to the most recent census data. More than half of Paia Elementary School students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches.

The Sun Shines on Paia Elementary

Paia Elementary is a particularly bright spot in its sunny community. Its 15 teachers each have an average of 14 years of teaching experience, more than 5 years each at Paia. Although it is one of 24 schools in Hawaii that is presently being "restructured," according to state and NCLB guidelines, its staff is hopeful that it will meet all of its targets by the end of the present school year. Certainly it is headed in the right direction.

For teachers and administrators, the most recent test results brought welcome news. In the school year that ended in June 2006, the reading test scores of 71% of the students met or exceeded proficiency standardsCoup from only 40% a year earlier. Results for Asian Pacific Island students were even more dramatic, as the percentage meeting or exceeding reading standards doubledCofrom 35% in 2005 to 70% in 2006. Disadvantaged students also registered extraordinary improvements, with 67% now meeting standards in reading, up from 37% the year before.

Looking at the test scores of third graders is especially revealing. In the year that ended in June 2004, 21% of third graders were reading "well below" grade level. At the end of the 2006 school year, that figure had plummeted to just 3%. In 2004, only 42% of its third-grade students met proficiency standards in reading and none exceeded standards. In 2006, 64% of students completing the third grade met proficiency standards and 18% exceeded standardsCothe first group of third graders to exceed reading standards since statewide testing began.

CORE's Help is "Priceless"

CORE was called in specifically to help Paia improve student achievement. The CORE consultant, Nancy McGivney assigned to the school, assisted in the selection of a scientifically-based reading program, trained all of the school's teachers in the new program, helped in pacing the program for each grade level, and worked directly with grade level teachers on delivery of the daily lessons. The consultant modeled the program by demonstration teaching in classrooms, providing feedback to the teachers when needed. Nancy even helped to ensure that the new program was being implemented in both Hawaiian Immersion as well as English-language programs.

When asked to comment on the importance of CORE's consultant to her school's dramatic improvements, principal Sue Alivado remarked: "If you've ever seen the MasterCard commercial about something being priceless, that is my feeling about our consultant! She helped to ensure that we used the program with fidelity, helped us begin to use our data to drive instruction, assisted the struggling teachers in implementing the new program andCowhen we became a restructured schoolCoworked with the school and externally-appointed consultant to be sure that the delivery of messages to the staff was consistent among all involved."

The mascot at Paia Elementary School is a tiger. Based on their latest reading scores, Paia's students are roaring!

About CORE

Bill Honig, President and former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, founded CORE in 1995. CORE serves as an advisor to K-12 schools, school districts, and states on the implementation of literacy instruction validated by scientifically-based reading research. Through technical advice, professional development, and onsite implementation support, the company builds the capacity of its clients to achieve sustained literacy achievement.

Visit www.corelearn.com to find out more information and to register.