SCC/Hokupa’a
Public Hearing
April 5, 2016
Facilitator: Jessica Dahlke
Principal: Wilfred Murakami
Time Keeper: JoAnna Kekuaokalani
Minutes: Mona Kuwada
Meeting started approximately: 6:03 pm
References:
State of Hawaii Board of Education:
Document: 4500 - Student Promotion Policy
Document: 4510.1 - Reporting Student Progress Regulations
Pg. 2, #6 - Secondary School Grading Policy
Based on 4510.1 c:
· Kealakehe High School’s grading policy is an A, B, C, ” I “ & F scale
· Students are given a two week window to improve an “I” grade through Kealakehe High School’s SLIP process.
· The SLIP Process or Student Learning Improvement Policy involved students, teachers, counselors, and administration to increase academic support and achievement.
· Reference on data from the registrar for the school years 2005-2006 thru 2014-2015, showed that students who were given D’s did not have the academic rigor that to succeed in the next grade level. It is the strong belief from administration that the D’s did not help students to succeed to the next level.
· Reviewing data from 2011-2012 thru 2014-2015 (the years in which the I’s were implemented) an increase in A, B, & C showed that the SLIP process help to increase of a student grades/academic achievement.
· During those years, flexibility was given to individual schools to do this.
· The process that is being put forward during this hearing is to initiate a waiver to either approve or not approve the A, B, C, “I”, F grading policy. Faculty approval must be considered for this waiver.
Public Input:
Lauren Appelbaum reading statements from: (papers with Jessica)
Derek Monell (Faculty) – Is against the A, B, C, I & F policy . . . to insure a passing grade is rigorous
Lauren Appelbaum (Faculty) – Believed that the student enrollment has decreased and perhaps because of the grading policy.
Erin Thompson (Faculty) – Science Teacher at Kealakehe High School; AP to Explorations, severe learning disabilities and language barriers. What would happen to the “D” students? Is for the A, B, C, I & F – raising expectations of both the teachers and the student – Is for the current grading policy
David Huitt (Faculty) – Social Studies Teachers, teaching between 22-23 years, believes that the school should not return to the traditional A, B, C, D grading. Came from a school that had a A, B, C, F grading scale. There were no two week extensions. Policy may not be perfect but we are on the right track. (Gave 2 articles to the council).
Kathy Okumoto-Miller (Faculty) – Against the current grading policy. Rationale that the grades of a 68%=75% = C. Deadlines are “slushy” and are not solid, etc.
Julie Dicky (Parent) – Is against the A,B,C, I policy. Feels that the school’s policy should not be differ from the DOE policy; that the students will give up faster, because when they may not be able to achieve grades. Also, cited classes that do not have an advanced class such Automotive.
Alden Transfiguration (Student) - Likes the” I” system. Majority of the jobs need higher grades than the D.
Read testimony from an 11th grader that is against the I.
Kealii Freitas (Faculty/Coach): Perspective of coach – believes that student athletes should be performing in the classroom. Starting the season on academic probation is not a situation that should be taken lightly.
John Mitchell (Faculty): Special/Regular Education – The D is not going to get the students for the next level. The current grading scale motivates A, B, C, I students to prepare for the next level.
Mitchell Johnson (Parent) – Appreciates the I’s & D. “ID” = identity. Her student struggles constantly academically to the point of where he will get ill. School supports her student where success comes in small steps. Success in math for Michele came after high school when she had to learn her math due her business. She believes that the SLIP process can be put to a D or C.
Sam Kekuaokalani (Faculty) – Wonders if what we are doing is the right thing. Sometimes there are more important things than a grading policy. Wonders if what we discussing is the most important thing. Looking at the demographicsof our student body, appreciates the” I” system. Majority of the jobs need higher grades than the D.
Dress Standard
Revised dress standard: Invite people to input. Enforcement is minimal. Mr. Murakami invites people to go to the website and look over the dress standard and review.
Kathy Okumoto-Miller: Saying that are standards are “lacks.”
Adjourned: 7:20 pm