The Strategic Plan: · Reflects a DOE and BOE commitment to Hawaii's students. It recognizes that this is a critical time for students, parents, teachers, all DOE staff, and community partners coming together to transform public education in Hawaii. · Explains what the DOE will do to ensure students can reach their fullest potential and attain their aspirations in the face of 21st century opportunities and challenges. · Commits to supporting and nurturing safe schools, increasing technology resources, building stronger partnerships to support student learning, and promoting a broad-based education that supports the whole student and closes achievement gaps. · Outlines well-defined student success indicators such as attendance, retention, graduation, and college-going rates.

The candidates are: • Edward T. Knudson, former executive vice president of student learning at Moorpark College in California; • Erika L. Lacro, vice chancellor of academic affairs at Honolulu Community College; • Rafe Trickey, vice president of planning and institutional development at the College of the Marshall Islands.