Kamehameha Schools announces two new scholarships for future teachers

June 2, 2003

Contributed by Kekoa Paulsen

Under the new Federal legislation called "No Child Left Behind," public schools across the nation are now required to meet certain education requirements. Schools that do no meet these requirements are deemed "corrective action" schools and must take measures to become compliant with the law. In Hawai'i, many of these corrective action schools serve high populations of Hawaiian students and often grapple with issues such as high teacher turnover and a teaching staff that lacks proper credentials. "We are excited about these new scholarship opportunities for Hawaiians," said Colleen Wong, acting chief executive officer for KS. "This is another example of a Pauahi's Legacy Lives initiative that extends KS' reach into the community by encouraging Hawaiians to pursue education as a career choice so that they can serve as role models for our future generations." According to Dr. Teresa Makuakane-Dreschel, executive director of admissions and financial aid for KS, "KS, through its financial aid programs, has always demonstrated its commitment to providing quality educational experiences that prepare Hawaiians for a wide-range of post-high educational pursuits and career choices. We want to encourage more people of Hawaiian ancestry to pursue teaching careers, and we need them in schools where Hawaiians make up a significant portion of the student body." The Pauahi Educators Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance to at least 25 students in the last two years of the Bachelor of Education degree or in post-baccalaureate teaching certificate programs. To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must be fully accepted into a Bachelor's of Education program or be enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teaching certificate at an accredited institution in the State of Hawai'i. The applicant must demonstrate financial need and upon completion of the program, commit to working in a DOE corrective action school that has at least a 33% Hawaiian student population or in a Hawaiian-focused charter school or Hawaiian language immersion school. Educational assistants (EAs) in Hawai'i, especially those working in corrective action schools, are usually parents and/or grandparents whose children currently or previously attended the school and who have lived in the community where the school is based. Many of these EAs are not certified teachers and stand to lose their jobs if they do not earn the necessary credentials by 2006. The Kumu Kokua Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of tuition, books and supplies to at least 50 EAs who are pursuing professional certification and are currently working in corrective action schools that have a sizeable Hawaiian student population. Like the Pauahi Educator Scholarship, applicants must demonstrate financial need and must commit to working in a DOE corrective action school that has at least a 33% Hawaiian student population or in a Hawaiian-focused charter school or Hawaiian language immersion school upon completion of their training. Applications for both scholarship programs are available now. Interested persons may request an application by calling 842-8216 or toll-free at 1-800-842-IMUA, ext. 8216. Forms and information are also available at www.ksbe.edu. The deadline to apply for these scholarship is July 15, 2003. Kamehameha Schools is a statewide educational system founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Nearly 4,900 students of Hawaiian ancestry are currently enrolled in K-12 campuses on three islands and at more than 30 preschool sites statewide. More than 12,000 additional Hawaiian learners are being served through a range of other Kamehameha Schools outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawaii and across the continental United States.