Joreana Pawai

EDEE 490 and 492

March 11, 2024

How Well Do You Know Your Community?

Nanakuli Elementary is part of the Hawaiian homelands. The westside district goes from

Nanakuli, Maili, and Waianae to Makaha. These communities are considered a titled one school.

Schools in the district are fully funded to support low income students with supplies and free

reduced foods. At Nanakuli Elementary School the percentage of students that are Hawaiian

82.1% according to the Department of Education State of Hawai’i website. To better understand

the community and students to reach them where it is needed. By enforcing the system in

Public schools these Hawaiian values are named “Nā Hopena A’o”. In Hawaiian culture Hā has

its roots in Hawaiian values, language, culture, and history. Which makes it significant

everywhere that learning takes place. This framework is to assist educators to help every student

reach their greatest potential in terms of academic performance, character development, physical

health, and social and emotional well-being.

Being mindful where you are that all areas are different when it comes to class level (low,

middle, and high). That teaching in one area that is on the opposite of the island compared to

being out on the West side. Creating a different mentality when it comes to how you teach and

how the people in the area are will help to benefit one’s learning. Enforcing the Nā Hopena A’o

in elementary classrooms could help to motivate students to learn but also know their purpose of

being a student in school. It may also better assist them back on track to put them where they are

expected to be. Finding the worth of why they are doing what they are when in school.

The purpose of giving students assessments is to allow them the opportunity to show their

skills and knowledge to improve their performance. Public schools statewide include I-Ready
Diagnostic, Galileo reading( quarterly), ISteep (reading fluency), MAZE reading All assessments

are given beginning middle to end of year. These assessments provide reading comprehension

and fluency data. Other big assessments include HSA Science currently for the grade level I’m

placed at. This type of assessment is to guide daily instruction throughout the year. Also, a

Smarter balanced assessment is given to also see what students are capable of doing. Most tests

are modified to fit at grade level. But, some tests are also modified to at grade level and available

for students who have disabilities and need accommodations.

According to ARCH, the State of Hawaii department of education website has provided a

StriveHI report which includes data of the students at Nanakuli Elementary school. Taking a

look into the student performance in each subject for the years 2021 - 2023. Language Arts

state assessments have made a one percent growth starting at 21% up until 23%. Math state

assessments starting at 15% up until 26%. And lastly, Science state assessments scores

started at 13% up until 20%. Between the years 2021 - 2023 there was a drop of one percent

from 13% to 12%. The following year something was done and it has impacted the test scores.

Students were able to increase their percent by 7% making it to 20% in the year 2023 (Science).

Overall data being compared through State, Complex Area, and School. Each subject has

shown improvement and wonderful data at least hitting a 45%.

At Nanakuli Elementary the fifth grade classroom I’m currently placed in has a total of

five special needs students (inclusion classroom). Students are able to learn with others in the

general Ed class. Students would receive differentiation assessments and work from myself or

mentor in the classroom. When rotated students also have an EA in the other classroom that

assists them throughout the timing. Also, the school has a good amount of students who receive

special assistance in their learning per grade level. There is wonderful great support at this

school. Students are covered with school supplies through school fundings and free reduced
breakfast and lunch daily. PBT provides supplies and food for teachers breakfast and lunch. As

for English curriculum students learn from Engage New York. Math for fifth grade is through I-

Ready. Students have easy access to technology whether it’s a MacBook or Ipad. Lastly,

Curricular programs include Instrumental sports that are different throughout each quarter.

Currently having instrumental sports for volleyball. It's held during recess time.