Story and Photo Credit: Hawaii Public Schools (Link to press release)
Improving the lives and educational journey for At-Promise students is one of the many goals of RAPSA. There are various schools and communities that are making the extra effort to exceed in reaching these goals. For example, the Alternative Learning Programs Branch (ALP) works diligently to provide “statewide support to schools, complex areas and districts for the development, maintenance and enhancement of Alternative Learning Programs, Services and Supports (ALPSS) for at-promise students.”
According to the Hawaii State Department of Education, ALPSS strives to provide students with a full range of support and encouragement to help them thrive when difficulties and challenges arise. One of the ways this program changed the mindset of how At-Promise students are seen is through a strategic name change as ALPSS was previously referred to as Comprehensive School Alienation Plan. The leaders of this organization removed the negative connotations and replaced them with words of encouragement and growth.
ALPSS is dedicated to support “students who are experiencing difficulty in their traditional learning environment (classrooms or schools) and may be better served in at the school level Empowerment Opportunity (EO) or complex area/district level Alternative Learning Opportunity (ALO). is taking part in.” One of the many ways they accomplish this is through hosting hands-on learning events for At-Promise students such as the Kalo Challenge.
The second annual Kalo Challenge took place in May of 2024, it is the last stage of a yearlong project. At-Promise students from across Hawaii learned about the process of planting and harvesting kalo (taro) and then transforming it into an exquisite culinary dish.
In an article about the challenge Alternative Learning Branch Director, Kristy Nishimura is quoted stating, “A lot of these students grow kalo at their programs anyway, but I think a lot of them didn’t have that real purpose behind it and the significance to what they were doing. So to make it more relevant for them and keep the culture real in their lives and make it something that they can relate to, that’s why we thought about the Kalo Challenge.”
ALPSS is doing a fantastic job of using alternative learning elements to engage their students in a way that appeals to them. They are tailoring specific components in order to better suit their students’ needs and help them unlock their full potential. Well done ALPSS you are doing your part to improve the lives of our students. You can read more about the annual Kalo Challenge here.