East Schools Win Cash For Strides In Reading

Three area schools have earned $12,500 each – a federal “Strive HI” award for extraordinary academic achievement over two years.

Hokulani Elementary, Kula Kaiapuni O Anuenue and Jarrett Middle schools are among dozens statewide to earn one-time cash awards for exiting No Child Left Behind restructuring sanctions and ranking in the top 5 percent for reading or math growth. All three made outstanding reading progress.

The governor and DOE officials last month presented checks from Strive HI money, which comes from Hawaii’s 2010 Race To The Top federal grant, explained DOE chief Kathryn Matayoshi: “The Strive HI Awards reflect that the department is not only focused on intervention in current priority schools, but also encourages other schools to keep striving high.”