Absenteeism drops at public schools

Chronic absenteeism in Hawaii public schools showed a significant drop last year, according to the Department of Education’s 2013-14 Strive HI Performance System Results.

Among the state’s schools, Haaheo Elementary School in Wainaku showed the third biggest improvement in the state, with only 8 percent of its students missing 15 days or more last year, compared to 26 percent in the 2012-13 academic year.

Other Big Isle schools that impressed with their improved scores included:

• Hilo High School, which brought its number of students proficient in math from 25 percent to 40 percent;
• Honokaa High and Intermediate, which raised its total of students proficient in reading from 59 percent to 69 percent;
• Konawaena High, which had 32 percent of its 11th grade students score 19 or higher on the ACT, compared to 24 percent the year before;
• Kohala High, which leapt from 13 percent of 11th-graders earning 19 or higher on the ACT to 23 percent;
• Ke Ana Laahana, which went from no students scoring 19 or higher on the ACT to 20 percent;
• Pahoa High and Intermediate, which boosted its graduation rate from 82 percent to 89 percent;
• Kealakehe High, which went from an 80 percent grad rate to 87 percent;
• Ehunuikaimalino, which went from 60 percent to 87 percent on its graduation rate;
• Konawaena High, which raised its graduation rate from 79 percent to 86 percent;
• Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science, which boosted its grad rate from 68 percent to 85 percent;
• Ke Ana Laahana, which raised its college-going rate from 50 percent to 75 percent;
• and, Connections, which grew its college rate from 40 percent to 59 percent.

Hawaii Island had far fewer schools among the state’s highest scorers, but the county was represented:

• West Hawaii Explorations had 45 percent of its 11th-graders score 19 or above on the ACT, putting it in 5th place among the state’s charter schools;
• Kanu o Ka Aina had a 91 percent graduation rate, putting it in third place among the state’s charters;
• Laupahoehoe graduated 87 percent of its students, putting it in fifth place among the state’s charter schools;
• Waiakea High saw a 78 percent college-going rate, earning it fourth place in the state among public schools;
• and, Ke Ana Laahana earned a 75 percent college-going rate, giving it fifth place among charters.

Additionally, E.B. de Silva Elementary School earned distinction by being labeled a “High Performing” school. It will be recognized at and receive a financial reward at an event next month.

Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.