Ka Leo O Nä Koa
Volume VII
Issue 1
September 23, 2011
A1
Kamehameha Schools Maui—270 ʻAʻapueo Pkwy, Pukalani, HI, 96768—(808)-573-7019—kyhaina@ksbe.edu—www.kaleoonakoa.org
KSM pulls together for WASC By AMANDA LEE, news co-editor
“It’s called accreditation and it means getting accredited,” Mr. Hal Schmid, co-chairman of the 2012 accreditation process said. Accreditation is a process of certification of competency, authority, and credibility. Kamehameha Maui was first accredited in 2006. The committee came back for a midpoint checkup during the third year, but every six years, a school must be accredited.
“It’s a way for
us to do selfstudy about our school and our programs” — Ms. Jay-R Kaawa on accreditation
“It’s a way for us to do selfstudy about our school and our programs, to see what our strengths and weaknesses are and an opportunity to share with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges committee,” Academies Principal Ms. Jay-R Kaawa said. The process of becoming a re-accredited high school started in August 2010. It includes presenting a report that shows
what the school is doing for their students. The report will be reviewed by the WASC committee March 4, 2012. Biology teacher Mr. Kyle Fujii is a co-chairman with Ms. Lisa Correa, career counselor, and Mr. Schmid. “We’re responsible for explaining what the high school does to prepare students for college. We have to explain what students do in the classroom, how the school is organized, and the roles of the counselors, the operations department, the athletics department, administration, and teachers. We have to explain how the students learn,” Mr. Fujii said. Students are able to participate in the accreditation process by meeting with the accreditation committee and evaluating lessons. “Students can be questioned at any time, and they need to know the mission statement, the vision, and the expected student learning outcomes. WASC will walk through classes and can decide to ask a question at any time, whether it’s in class or walking across the quad,” said Mrs. Ramona Ho, the high school librarian. She has been through five
accreditations at different schools where she’s worked. The accreditation process is
like an extensive research paper on the school. The fac(ConƟnued on page 2)
INDEX:
NEWS……………………..…….…..A1 CLASS NEWS…………….…..A12 ĀHA’ILONO…………..……….....B1 LIFE………………………...………...C1 ENTERTAINMENT………..C8-9 SPORTS…………………..………..D1 WWG………………………………...D4 EDITORIAL…………….…...……..E1
Food Drive….…..……….A11 Volleyball…………….…..D1 Football………….………….D3