Kapiʻolani CC, HIDOE leaders unite to optimize student pathways – University of Hawaii System

Strategic Partnership to Advance Sustainable Development Goals in Hawaiʻi’s Education Sector

Introduction: Fostering Quality Education (SDG 4) and Decent Work (SDG 8)

A high-level meeting was convened between officials from the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE), including Superintendent Keith Hayashi, and the leadership of Kapiʻolani Community College. The primary objective of this strategic engagement was to fortify the partnership between the state’s public school system and its higher education institutions. This collaboration is a direct effort to advance Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by creating clear, equitable, and accessible educational pathways for students. Furthermore, by focusing on aligning education with workforce needs, the initiative strongly supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), aiming to prepare students for meaningful and productive careers within Hawaiʻi’s evolving economy.

Key Areas of Focus and Alignment with SDGs

The delegation’s visit and subsequent discussions centered on programmatic and curricular alignment to achieve shared sustainability-oriented goals. Key areas included:

1. Enhancing Educational Pathways (SDG 4, SDG 10): The partnership seeks to strengthen initiatives like Direct2UH, which provides streamlined access to University of Hawaiʻi campuses. By making these pathways more visible and accessible, the institutions are actively working to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4) and reduce inequalities (SDG 10) in access to tertiary learning and career opportunities.
2. Curriculum for Sustainable Communities (SDG 4, SDG 11): The tour highlighted Kapiʻolani CC’s commitment to place-based and experiential learning, showcased in facilities such as the cultural learning space Māla Māunuunu and health sciences labs. This pedagogical approach equips students with relevant skills for employment (Target 4.4) and fosters a generation of locally committed citizens prepared to contribute to sustainable communities (SDG 11).
3. Workforce Readiness for Economic Growth (SDG 8): A central theme was the alignment of college programs with state workforce priorities. Superintendent Hayashi emphasized the goal of preparing students to be “globally competitive and locally committed.” This alignment is crucial for creating a seamless transition from education to employment, empowering students to contribute to Hawaiʻi’s sustainable economic growth and secure decent work.

Outcomes and Commitment: A Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17)

The meeting reaffirmed the collaborative commitment between HIDOE and Kapiʻolani CC, exemplifying the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The shared objectives moving forward include:

• Strengthening the K–12 to higher education pipeline to enhance workforce readiness.
• Fostering innovation in curriculum and student support services.
• Creating lasting and equitable educational opportunities for all learners in Hawaiʻi.
• Empowering students to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on their communities, contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future for the state.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article is centered on improving the educational system in Hawaiʻi by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. The collaboration between the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) and Kapiʻolani Community College aims to “forge clearer, stronger pathways from high school graduation into meaningful careers,” which directly supports the goal of providing lifelong learning opportunities for all. The focus on “place-based and experiential learning” and creating “seamless pathways” for students highlights a commitment to enhancing the quality and relevance of education.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The initiative described in the article directly links education to employment, a key aspect of SDG 8. The stated goal is to prepare students for “Hawaiʻi’s evolving workforce” and to strengthen “workforce readiness.” By aligning college programs with “HIDOE workforce priorities,” the partnership aims to equip students with the necessary skills to secure decent jobs, thereby contributing to local economic growth and preparing them to be “globally competitive and locally committed.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article is a clear example of SDG 17 in action, as it details a “strategic effort to strengthen the collaboration between public schools and higher education.” The meeting between HIDOE and Kapiʻolani CC leadership is described as reaffirming a “shared commitment to dialogue and collaboration.” This partnership between public institutions is crucial for achieving the other goals, as it creates a coordinated system to support students’ educational and career journeys.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

• The article highlights the “Direct2UH initiative,” described as a “fast pass to nine UH campuses,” which is a mechanism designed to make tertiary education more accessible. The overall goal of making educational “pathways visible and accessible” for students and families directly corresponds to ensuring equal access to higher education.

Target 4.4: Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

• This target is addressed through the focus on aligning educational programs with “workforce priorities” and preparing students for “meaningful careers.” The tour of “health sciences labs” and discussions on “experiential learning” indicate a focus on providing students with the practical and technical skills needed for employment in Hawaiʻi’s evolving job market.

Target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training (NEET).

• By creating “seamless pathways” from high school to higher education and careers, the collaboration aims to ensure that students do not fall through the cracks after graduation. The initiative is designed to guide students directly into further education or training that leads to employment, thereby reducing the likelihood of them becoming part of the NEET population.

Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

• The entire article documents a public-public partnership between the state’s K-12 system (HIDOE) and its higher education system (Kapiʻolani Community College). The high-level meeting and “shared commitment to dialogue and collaboration” exemplify the kind of institutional partnership necessary to build effective systems and achieve sustainable development goals.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Rate of transition from high school to tertiary education: The article implies this indicator through its focus on creating “seamless pathways” and the “Direct2UH initiative.” An increase in the percentage of HIDOE graduates enrolling in Kapiʻolani CC or other UH campuses would measure the success of making these pathways more accessible.
• Alignment of educational programs with workforce needs: Progress could be measured by the number of college programs that are formally aligned with “HIDOE workforce priorities.” This would indicate how well the educational system is adapting to prepare students for “Hawaiʻi’s evolving workforce.”
• Graduate employment rates: An implied indicator for success is the employment rate of students who complete the educational pathways discussed. Tracking the percentage of graduates who find “meaningful careers” would directly measure the effectiveness of the collaboration in strengthening “workforce readiness.”
• Number of collaborative agreements and initiatives: The strength of the partnership (Target 17.17) can be measured by the number of formal agreements, joint programs, or recurring strategic meetings established between HIDOE and Kapiʻolani CC.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hawaii.edu