HAWAII
TO RECEIVE MORE THAN $2.5 MILLION FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION INITIATIVES
August
14, 2009
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON-Hawaii
will receive $2.5 million to expand reading, math, and cultural curriculum for
more than 2,800 Native Hawaiian students, U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and
Daniel K. Akaka announced today.
Through
two grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Hawaii will receive
$2,537,945 over the next three years for programs that will aide Native
Hawaiian students, teachers, staff and parents.
“We
must support current and future generations of Native Hawaiian students by
encouraging them to excel in the classroom and study their heritage so that
their futures are limitless and their traditions secure,” said Senator Inouye.
“As
a former educator, I know first-hand that the quality of education shapes our
youth and our community,” said Senator Akaka. “Culturally appropriate education
initiatives ensure our keiki have access to a world-class education while developing
roots in their culture.”
The University
of Hawaii’s Heluhelu Maoli program will receive $1,521,690 to continue to develop a school-wide reading
program, increase resources for students who are in need of targeted reading
interventions and increase mathematics instruction for struggling first
graders.
The
program is expected to serve over 2,800 Hawaiian students, 300 teachers and
school staff, and 1,000 parents.
The Pacific
Resources for Education and Learning’s E Hoomau program will receive $1,521,690
over a three year period to increase student
literacy skills and enhance student knowledge of the Hawaiian culture.
Once
the materials are finalized, they will be offered at no charge to all public schools
in Hawaii.
