Ho’okāko’o Corporation (HC) developed the SOA to help schools that are considering conversion or have already converted to assess readiness and/or current functioning.
The SOA assists schools in three primary areas of comprehensive and systemic school redesign: (1) evaluation of current school structures and practices (2) development of innovative programs that promote student achievement and (3) restructuring of organizational systems to promote and accommodate change.
In October, 2003 Ho`okako`o contracted with Kathy Kamo of Collaborative Action for Public Education (CAPE) to develop an assessment tool to help schools look at their current structures and practices, to help schools design an innovative program to promote student achievement, and to help schools reshape their organizational structure to promote change. The resulting tool provides a “conceptual framework of an effective and exemplary school.” It is not only an assessment instrument (that includes a visiting team “audit”), but also a self-examination framework to help a school hold its practices up to a microscope. In addition, it is a teaching tool, modeling the organizational outcomes, structures and systems a school will need in order to achieve its educational goals.
The SOA identifies eight essential and interrelated elements of an exemplary and well-performing school. Each of these eight elements has its own objectives, data sources, and expected results. They are:
- Student Learning and Achievement (SLA)
- Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (CIA)
- Student Support Services (SSS)
- Leadership and Governance (LAG)
- Communications and Marketing (CAM)
- Organizational Structure and Operations (OSO)
- Human Resource Management (HGM)
- Finance and Resource Management (FRM)
Benefits and Applications for the SOA
What are the benefits of the SOA framework?
- It establishes baseline data on performance outcomes across the eight elements for the conversion schools and the Department of Education (DOE).
- It provides findings and recommendations that will inform the school’s development of a strategic plan.
- It leverages systemic restructuring and organizational development for the schools and the DOE system.
- It addresses the current realities of the public education system, its students and families.
- It promotes parent and community commitment and involvement in the education process.
