A growing number of states are interested in tracking the readiness of children entering kindergarten. In 2010, just seven states (Alaska, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Minnesota, and Vermont) collected Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA) data for the purposes of aggregating data at the state level. Since this time, most states report…

Employment in Hawaii (including hourly and salaried jobs and self-employment) is projected to grow by 14 percent from 2002 to 2012, adding over 78,000 new jobs to the state's economy and growing the workforce from 558,220 to 636,480. The rate of growth is slightly lower than the 15 percent increase projected for the nation as a whole. Over the…

Race to the Top (RTT) is a first-of-its kind $4.35 billion competitive grant program designed to spur state-level education innovation to boost student achievement, close achievement gaps, and prepare students for college and careers. Originally authorized in 2009 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, RTT encourages states to develop…

The 7th edition of this publication provides updated projections of high school graduates for each year and each state (plus the District of Columbia) through 2022. The profile breaks down the projections by major racial and ethnic groups: (1) American Indian/Alaska Native; (2) Asian/Pacific Islander; (3) Black, non-Hispanic; (4) Hispanic; and (5)…

Describes visits to libraries on three Hawaiian islands--Maui, Hawaii, Oahu--to determine if a rebirth of native culture is actually underway, and, if so, the role of the library in this "Hawaiian Renaissance." Library collections of "Hawaiiana," programs for ethnic groups, and activities of Honolulu's Kamehameha schools are…

The authors present a comprehensive review on U.S. Pacific Islander suicide and suicide-related behaviors to extend the knowledge and understanding of suicide and suicide-related behaviors among the indigenous peoples of the state of Hawai'i, the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Pacific…

Discusses the language and linguistic transformation of Hawaii, viewing language as socially constitutive, creative, and recreative and pointing out similarities between the language transformation and the Western penetration of Hawaii. (Author/CB)

Operation Manong (OM) is a program of the University of Hawaii at Manoa that assists students who are considered to be underrepresented at the university to gain entrance and to graduate from the Manoa campus. Papers in this series are training materials for OM and are also a link between the university and the larger community. The analysis of…

In 1990, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) included a Trial State Assessment (TSA); for the first time in the NAEP's history, voluntary state-by-state assessments were made. The sample was designed to represent the 8th grade public school population in a state or territory. In 1996, 44 states, the District of Columbia, Guam,…

The document first provides a review of recent literature on sex differences in mathematics achievement. From national and international studies, achievement trends across the grades, how achievement varies according to the skills or knowledge assessed, and the mathematical ability of high-ability students are each summarized. Then studies…

This issue paper from Hawai'i Kids Count addresses the issue of teen pregnancy and birth rates. The paper notes that teen pregnancy and birth rates are declining both nationally and in Hawaii and describes key risk factors associated with having a baby before age 20: (1) early school failure; (2) early behavioral problems; (3) family dysfunction;…

A review of literature relating to the use of Hawaiian pidgin and standard English and their relationship to school achievement was undertaken in response to concerns regarding state educational policy for language use and proficiency. The research reviewed includes pidgin and creole studies, second language acquisition research, and studies of…

This paper reviews the literature on the background, legal process, and implications of the Felix consent decree, a legal settlement in which the State of Hawaii agreed to improve its special education program and to develop a self-sustaining system of care for delivering special education services. The paper begins by reviewing federal laws (the…

A 1975 U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity Census Update Survey was analyzed in an effort to investigate local-born and migrant populations of Hawaii. Findings showed that among the local-born, the most notable recent development has been the rise of the Orientals (essentially Japanese and Chinese) to equality with the haoles (essentially…

The author explains his research on learning differences between children of Hawaii's different ethnic groups, particularly the Oriental-Americans. His studies focus on two separate variables: fast-slow instruction and locus of control. (SJL)