Curriculum

STANDARDS

The Hawaii Content and Performance Standards continue to be the center of our school improvement efforts. Standards is the core of instruction for all students. We are on the second year of the Standards Implementation Design. We will continue to review and assess our progress and make adjustments as necessary. Keep in mind that this is a working document and changes that are made will be based on student outcomes.

There are two General Learner Outcomes for our students:

1. Students will demonstrate effective use of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Success will be determined by the comparing the baseline test scores in reading comprehension and math problem solving with the test scores for each succeeding year. A goal of 2% increase is targeted for each year. We will achieve this goal by:

In the Area of Math Problem Solving
• students in grades K-5 will be instructed using "Investigations in Number, Data and Space" curriculum, supplemented with Scott Foresman Math series;
• providing students writing responses to math word problems.

In the Area of Reading
• students in grades K-3 will be instructed the “Reading Mastery” program which has already proven successful with students in grades K-1 with 69% kindergarteners and 64% of first grade students reaching benchmark;
• students in grades 4-5 who read at or close to grade level will be instructed in the “Open Court” reading series;
• students in grades 4-5 who read over one grade level below will be instructed in the “Corrective Reading” program;

In the Area of Writing
• students will be provided with a grade-level wide writing program which provides for quarterly assessments in writing responses and writing processes.

2. Students will demonstrate responsibility for their own learning. Progress will be measured using the “Responsibility Checklist” which was developed for Royal School students. A baseline was 5% increase is projected every year. A baseline was established during this past school year. Activities include:

• student self-assessment will be an integral part of the standards-based lesson;
• a school-wide problems solving procedure will be developed and used by all students;
• a consistent school-wide discipline plan will be developed.