Guiding Principles
The Learning Design Framework emerges from a set of principles grounded in the belief that all students in Hawaiʻi can achieve success in school and beyond. These guiding principles—articulated through the mission and vision of the Strategic Plan and embedded in the three priority strategies of School Design, Student Voice, and Teacher Collaboration—provide a foundation for the work of educators in Hawaiʻi. These four guiding principles include:
These principles align with Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ), the six interdependent learning outcomes rooted in Hawaiian culture, language, and history and reflective of Hawaiʻi as a space that embraces cultural values and place-based strengths. Attention to these principles and HĀ ensures that all students in Hawaiʻi have access to equitable, high-quality education and that Hawaiʻi’s schools are powerful and innovative learning environments deeply connected to culture and place.
Hawai'i's students have strengths and abilities unique to an island home with a tradition of stewardship, community, and mutual respect. With these principles as a foundation for teaching and learning in Hawai'i, students can meet and exceed world-class academic standards in a way that reflects and strengthens a sense of place, perspective, and belonging.
By aligning teaching and learning within these understandings and four principles and by working with partners and families, schools can achieve the HIDOE mission of serving the greater community “by developing the academic achievement, character, and social-emotional well-being of our students to the fullest potential.”