Project Description:
Project Hookui meets three competitive preference priorities by addressing (1) needs of at-risk children and youth; (2) Native Hawaiian (NH) underemployment; and (6) improving achievement and high school (HS) graduation rates. The goal of Project Hookui is to increase enrollment of NH students in postsecondary education or in postsecondary education certification (PSEC) programs leading to employment. This will occur through the provision of interventions to help NH HS students enroll in two dual enrollment programs (i.e., Running Start and Early Admission) and successfully accumulate college course credits during HS.
Project personnel will implement four research-based interventions. (1) Mentoring on cultural, academic, and career issues: Cultural mentors will provide support including, but not limited to, career exploration, completion of college and scholarship applications, and financial aid forms. (2) Individualized computer based accelerated instruction in reading and math: College tutors will provide support using this program after school, on weekends, and during school hours to diagnose, correct, and accelerate learning in reading and math. (3) Tutorial services: College tutors will provide tutoring on reading, writing, and math skills, COMPASS preparation, and assist students to access online tutoring services on University of Hawaii (UH) campuses. (4) Financial Assistance: Project Hookui will provide cost defrayment for college course tuition, books, and transportation, if not covered by other programs or scholarships.
Based upon baseline scores of the ACT COMPASS tests, (which is a UH system wide course placement test), participants will be assigned to one of three tiered groups: Group 1: meeting the qualification criteria of the dual enrollment programs; Group 2: approaching the criteria; and Group 3: needing intensive academic support to meet the criteria. Interventions to accelerate learning will be differentiated according to group assignment.
The proposed project consists of three phases: Phase I: Preparation; Phase II: Implementation & Evaluation; and Phase III: Replication, Dissemination, and Sustainability. Under Phase I, Objective (Obj.) 1. Prepare for Project Implementation, there are five activities: i. formalize training modules; ii. hire cultural mentors and college tutors; iii. train tutors; iv. train mentors; and v. recruit NH students. Phase II, includes Objectives 2 and 3. Obj. 2. is, Implement Project Hookui. This includes activities i., coordinate COMPASS testing; ii. assign students into 3 tiered groups and provide differentiated interventions; iii. provide individualized computer based accelerated learning; iv. provide mentoring; v. provide tutorial support; and vi. provide financial assistance. Obj. 3 is, Evaluate Project Hookui. This includes activity i. evaluate the process, progress, and outcomes of the project.
Under Phase III, there are three objectives: Obj. 4. Replicate project activities on other islands. This includes activity i. develop a replication manual; ii. replicate steps for preparation for project implementation; and iii. replicate steps for project implementation; Obj. 5. Disseminate the project information and findings includes activity i. develop a dissemination plan, and ii. disseminate the project information and results; and Obj. 6. Plan to sustain project activities which includes activity i. develop a sustainability plan.
Over these three phases, Project Hookui will serve 1,265 NH students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades at 12 HS on 5 Hawaii islands (Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānai), projecting 632 participants will earn college credit through the dual enrollment programs or PSEC programs. In collaboration with the Hawaii Department of Education, UH Hilo, Hawaii Community College, Leeward Community College, and UH Maui College, Project Hookui will begin with seven HS on the island of Hawaii during Fall 2014 semester. From Spring 2015 semester, the project was replicated at five additional schools on four additional islands: Kamakau, Hakipuu, Farrington, Hawaii Youth Challenge (Oahu), Nanakuli High and Intermediate School (Oahu), Molokai HS (Molokai), and Hana (Maui) and Lanai (Lanai) High and Elementary Schools.
Projected student outcomes include strengthening and improving NH students (1) cultural identity; (2) academic motivation; (3) college and career aspirations; (4) academic engagement; (5) academic achievement (i.e., meeting proficiency standards in Hawaii State Assessment -reading and math (GRPA 1); participation in dual enrollment programs and or PSEC programs thus earning college credit during HS); and (6) academic outcomes (i.e., HS graduation with a diploma in 4 years (GRPA 3), and enrollment in college or PSEC programs upon graduation).
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote
