DOE’s Matayoshi Receives ‘Exceeds Expectations’ Rating

An overall rating of “Exceeds Expectations” has been given to Hawai’i State Department of Education Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. The rating follows the Hawai’i Board of Education’s annual evaluation of Matayoshi.

The board met on Tuesday and agreed that improvement in student achievement remains at the forefront for the department, and that despite her rating, Matayoshi has not yet made enough progress in closing the achievement gap.

This is the second year in a row that Matayoshi earned an “Exceeds Expectations” rating. In 2013, Matayoshi received the highest performance rating of “Exceptional.”

Evaluations are based on Matayoshi’s overall management abilities and attainment of performance objectives and program accomplishments.

“As the new chairman of the BOE, I look forward to working with the superintendent on ways to help our students advance in the face of an ever-changing world and increasing the level of empowerment of our teachers and administrators,” said BOE Chairman Lance Mizumoto.

Matayoshi received broken down rates of “Exceeds Expectations” when it came to her overall management abilities and  “Fully Meets Expectations” for performance objectives and program accomplishments. She failed to meet the expectations in closing the achievement gap, earning herself a rating of “Inadequate Progress Made.” Satisfactory progress was made for sustaining the community school system, and a “Substantial Completion” grade was received for elevatiung leadership development.

“We fully understand that student success must climb,” said Matayoshi. “It has taken a lot of focused effort at all levels in our Department to implement systemic change across the system in the last couple of years, from standards and assessments to differentiated teacher and school supports.

“I appreciate the Board’s acknowledgement of the progress being made. The Board’s rating is not only reassuring but a testament to our employees, students, and families who work hard every day in reaching targets for the success of schools and our public school students.”