Hawaii State Department of Education
...Enables ALL students to achieve the Vision
of a Hawaii Public School Graduate.
What is CSSS?
Experience tells us there are times when all students — even the most resilient— will need help. CSSS provides for all students — standards-based learning and a comprehensive support system, demonstrating that all children can learn, meet Hawaii Content and Performance Standards and General Learner Outcomes, and attain the Vision of a Hawaii Public School Graduate. The CSSS is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Education, the family, and the community that provides resources and assistance so each child will meet the educational standards for his/her grade-level.
Student Support
CSSS establishes an environment with support services to promote student learning.
A positive learning environment fosters a sense of belonging, enhances the joy of learning, honors diversity and promotes respectful, responsible and caring relationships.
Support services are evaluated regularly to assess the impact on classroom instruction and student learning.
Goals of CSSS
- To provide comprehensive and timely supports for students that allow them to achieve in school, to be confident and caring, and to become contributing citizens in their communities.
- To involve families and the community as integral partners in the implementation of the CSSS.
- To integrate human and financial resources of the appropriate public and private agencies to create caring communities at each school.
CSSS Essential Components
Leaving no child behind requires all public schools to give highest priority to instruction and a comprehensive student support system. In addition, management and governance practices based on systematic and rigorous assessments are profoundly important for accountability and continuous improvement.
Personalized Classroom Climate and Differentiated Classroom Practices
A nurturing and caring climate with customized classroom practices enables all children to progress and learn..
- Strategies are designed to teach a diverse population of
varying learning styles and needs.
- Curriculum adjustment is based on regular assessment of
student needs.
- Meaningful relationships are established among students, staff, and family through programs such as Lion’s Quest and Freshman Success Academy.
Prevention and Early Intervention
The Student Support System includes a full array of services to address the basic needs of all students. By providing students with early interventions within the classroom and through school programs, the need for higher-level services is decreased.
- Each student has a significant adult on campus.
- Accommodations and prevention programs are systematically used as early interventions.
- Procedures to request for student assistance beyond the classroom are mapped out and understood by the entire staff.
Supports for Transition
Transition supports minimize interruptions in student learning. Effective transitions are smooth and coordinated. The school should have clearly written and fully implemented transition plans.
- Welcome programs and transition supports for new students
(i.e. military, immigrant, transferring, re-entry, etc.) ensure a
smooth transition into the school.
- Transition procedures are in place to assist students to move within the school, between schools, between programs, and between school and community programs.
- Transition plans are developed for students returning from detention or suspension, or from treatment homes.
Community Outreach and Support 
The school actively communicates with community agencies and
support groups. In addition, the school engages in partnerships
to enhance schoolcommunity
connections.
- Activities such as
orientations, open
house, workshops,
fairs, performances,
adopt-a-school,
volunteer, and
service-learning
programs are evident.
- Partnerships with organizations such as Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) are established.
Family Involvement and Participation
An effective Student Support System includes families as
full participants in the
educational process for
their children. Families
participate as planners,
contributors, leaders,
teachers, learners, and
colleagues.
- Family literacy
programs provide
parents with skills
to assist their child’s
learning.
- Family support programs such as Families for R.E.A.L. facilitate parent participation.
Specialized Assistance and Crisis and Emergency Support
A Student Support System incorporates services and procedures necessary for crisis and emergency situations. Specialized assistance programs are available for students with intensive special needs.
Students and staff are knowledgeable about individual crisis
and emergency procedures.
- Immediate access to social and mental health services is
available in an emergency or crisis.
- School staff are knowledgeable about and able to facilitate
short and long term referrals for special services (including
504 accommodations, special education, and other support
programs).
- Care coordination or case management services are delivered in a consistent and timely manner.
BOE POLICY 2203
COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUPPORT SYSTEM
The Board of Education (BOE) recognizes the importance of providing effective instruction in a caring and supportive learning environment. A comprehensive student support system will ensure that all students attain the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards (HCPS) and the General Learner Outcomes (GLOs), in order to become Public School Graduates prepared for post secondary education and/or careers.
Therefore, the Department shall provide a comprehensive student support system framework to support the implementation, with fidelity, of:
- effective standards-based instruction for all students,
- appropriate student support through an array of
services,
- involvement of families and community stakeholders as
partners in the education process,
- management of decision-making driven by ongoing
assessment of student progress, and
- effective single all-student database.
Approved: 5/14/09
For more information,
contact your child's school
or your nearest public school.
Student Support Services Branch
Office of Curriculum, Instruction
and Student Support
Department of Education • State of Hawaii
RS 09-1699 (Rev. of RS 05-0342) • July 2009
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....Our standards set the course, while students, families, and community fill the sails with expectation as we voyage with the treasure of bright, young minds ready to lead the way to the future.
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