As the world takes two steps forward toward normalcy, typically followed by a step backward into pandemic mode, the truism that faculty success leads to student success probably has never been more resonant. To achieve professional success, faculty need a culture--along with a budget--to try out new, innovative ideas. Both at the individual campus…

Multilingualism gives rise to cognitive, educational, economic, and sociocultural benefits. In fact, it's one of the U.S. Department of Education's big initiatives through Raise the Bar: Lead the World. In this infographic, gain insights about the growing population of multilingual learners and how educational agencies, schools, and educators can…

While reflecting on her own educational experiences, author Beth Taone discusses how she came up with an educational philosophy called Tri-Excellence. Taone believes that students will only be able to succeed in school if three things are in place--Student Excellence + Teacher Excellence + Family/Community Excellence. Here she describes…

"Safe Is Not Enough" illustrates how educators can support the positive development of LGBTQ students in a comprehensive way so as to create truly inclusive school communities. Using examples from classrooms, schools, and districts across the country, Michael Sadowski identifies emerging practices such as creating an LGBTQ-inclusive…

Immigrants are a fast-growing segment of the United States population. Presently, some 39.9 million immigrants call America home (Passel & Cohn, 2012; U.S. Census Bureau, 2011b). Today, immigrants come from all over the world, but most new Americans originate in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. It is because of the mass migration of the…

This article includes a conversation with four environmental education classroom teachers. The author introduces the four classroom teachers, Marie Marrs, Barb Pietrucha, Vicki Newberry, and Dara Lukonen. In the interview, the four environmental education classroom teachers describe the environmental education in their classrooms. Three of these…

This paper discusses patterns of communication, particularly teaching/learning communication, in Hawaiian families, and the ways that these patterns affect the behaviors, expectations, and skills that Hawaiian children bring to school. It also describes some examples of educationally effective adaptations to these expectations and skills which…

In learning communities, the learning experience is a shared process as teachers and students work together through negotiation toward a common goal. This article identifies critical features of learning communities and presents highlights from community building experiences in a Hawaii kindergarten classroom. Shares insights gleaned from the…

The goal of school/university partnerships is the simultaneous renewal of colleges of education and of K-12 schools. In theory, this improvement comes about as university and K-12 faculty members work together to mentor preservice teachers in the best possible environment. Ideally, as they participate in these collaborations, the faculty groups do…

This brief report describes parental reaction to a reinforcement strategy used with children in the Kamehameha Early Education Program (KEEP). Staff members report that "Good Work Awards" (GWAs) are viewed favorably by mothers of students. GWAs are dittoed notes sent home with children when they have met a minimum criterion for daily…

A successful transition from home or preschool to kindergarten is a key component of school readiness. Yet, quite often this major step in a child's life is neither planned nor well coordinated. Thoughtful planning for this transition, however, can have a positive impact on children, families, teachers, schools, and communities that last well…

Describes the Star Project in which each student was allowed to select a topic in any area of interest and then to create a project around that topic. Students selected mentors (often parents) to monitor and encourage their progress. The article describes the project's successes and failures. (SM)

Considers how school library media specialists can collaborate with teachers to transform conventional topical units into problem-based projects and gives examples from classrooms in Hawaii. Highlights include focusing on real-life problems; seeking and using information for the projects; hands-on learning; student roles in making decisions; and…

Describes implementation of an elementary science program, Developmental Approaches in Science and Health (DASH). The discussion centers on changes in the teaching-learning process suggested by various views on learning and on instructional strategies that can be gleaned from these views and applied to elementary science instruction. (SM)

The 1970's saw considerable advancement toward fulfilling the mission of the community colleges of Hawaii. Out of the successes and unmet needs of the 1970's and based upon assumptions about future changes and constraints, 11 directions were specified for the 1980's. With regard to instructional services, the directions are: emphasize continuing…