Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 7, 1 July 2001 — OHA loan funds innovative learning center [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA loan funds innovative learning center

By Caitriona Kearns In March, David Wallaee opened a Kip McGrath Education Center in Pearl City. While there are a few hundred such centers worldwide with 150 aione in Australia, Wallace's franchise is the first center in Hawai'i. Kip McGrath is an Australian teacher who developed a curriculum in reading and math forfour-to 16-year olds, using computer interactivity, workbooks and audio tapes. A social studies teacher at James Campbell with a B.A. in sociology and psychology, Wallaee has long wanted to establish a learning eenter where children ean convene in a neutral setting. Kip McGrath's approach particularly appealed to Wallaee because it featured curricu-

lum developed by teachers. The franchise agreement further stipulates that all centers must be run by teachers. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs gave Wallaee a business loan from

the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Program, whieh has helped Wallaee to establish this new business venture. The loan paid for a trip to New Zealand for Wallaee to get franchisee training and his franchise fee, among other expenses. As the center's director, Wallaee plans to hire additional teachers as needed to run the center, but wīil personally conduct all child assessments. As a vital first step in the Kip McGrath program, the assessment evaluates eaeh child's levels of ability in reading, comprehension, spellirig, math, vision, listening, coordination and handwriting. An individual lesson plan is then developed, tailored to fit eaeh child's needs. Children eome into the center for 80 minute sessions where they

mostly use a computer to work through lessons such as spelling, algebra, fractions, reading and vocabulary. "Some children are having math problems because they cannot comprehend what they are doing," said Wallaee. "So we work on the child's comprehension and build it up. Then we move on to math. "I am getting referrals from parents," Wallaee said of the venture's early success. "Many parents have seen results from observing their children and they understand the program." To encourage referrals, Wallaee offers one free session for eaeh referral and even has one eommitted parent who has enthusiastiContinued on page 14

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David Wallaee opened a franchlse learning center dedicated to teaching math, reading and comprehension. Photo: Caitrlona Kearns.

Continued from page 10 cally referred so many that she has only had to pay for one session. While satisfied with the center's promising start, Wallaee does not take it for granted. One month after its launeh, the venture experienced a bumpy April due to the teacher's strike. Parents wrestled with paying for daycare while the director fell sick. However, onee the strike was over parents began signing up their children at a paee that pleasantly surprised him. "I knew by opening up towards the end of the school year that things might be slow," said Wallaee. "But at the same time, I'm glad because just imagine what it will be like when school starts." ■