The KYC MERITS Program expands on an informal, after-school homework assistance program that was initiated in response to requests from several youth members and parents.  The initial program involved enlisting volunteer mentors from the community to be available at the Youth Center on a semi-regular basis to assist individual youth members in completing their daily homework assignments.  As this program evolved, it became apparent that

the majority of the youth participating in the program require a more formalized tutoring curriculum with primary emphasis on improving Math and English proficiency.  The MERITS Program was developed to address this need by providing structured tutoring sessions facilitated by qualified educational specialists supplemented by appropriate computer-based learning modules.

The MERITS Program consists of three major components: 1) Individualized one-on-one tutoring; 2) Group workshops; and 3) Self-instruction through interactive computer-based learning modules. 

1) Individualized Tutoring – This component of the program will build on the original after-school homework assistance program by offering individualized, one-on-one tutoring focused on providing appropriate assistance with completion of daily homework assignments (with emphasis on Math and English).  

2) Group Workshops – Regularly scheduled group workshops are conducted to provide focused instruction and practical exercises focused on the improvement of Math and/or English proficiency skills: and

3) Computer-based Self Instruction - To supplement individualized tutoring and group workshops and facilitate self-paced learning in specific academic areas, the MERITS Program  also includes a computer-based self instruction component.

Individualized Tutoring – This component of the program builds on the original after-school homework assistance program by offering individualized, one-on-one tutoring focused on providing appropriate assistance with completion of daily homework assignments (with emphasis on Math and English).  This tutoring is coordinated by the MERITS Program Coordinator, who in addition to working directly with participating youth is responsible for recruiting, training and supervising a team of mentors from the community to serve as individual tutors.  These mentors are selected on the basis of their experience, knowledge and proficiency in specific academic areas (i.e. – Algebra, Geometry, Grammar, Composition) and assigned to youth members with corresponding academic needs.  All individualized tutoring sessions are conducted at Kihei Youth Center facility and the MERITS Program Coordinator provides direct oversight and supervision. All community mentors are required to maintain an updated log summarizing all contacts with youth in the program, which are regularly reviewed by the Program Coordinator to ensure a consistent, appropriate level of assistance is maintained for all program participants.  Individualized tutoring sessions are scheduled on an ongoing basis during after-school hours Monday through Fridays.

Group Workshops – Regularly scheduled group workshops are conducted to provide instruction and practical exercises focused on the improvement of Math and/or English proficiency skills.  The MERITS Program Coordinator is responsible for the development of the age-appropriate curriculum and presentation format for each group workshop, and in addition to participating as a facilitator/instructor for group workshops, enlists instructors and presenters from the community to participate in specific workshops (as appropriate to their expertise).  While the majority of workshops will be conducted at the Kihei Youth Center facility, it is anticipated that “field trips” to provide demonstrations of the practical “real-world” application of Math and English skills (i.e. – Maui Technological Park) will also be incorporated into this component of the MERITS Program.  The group workshops are conducted on a monthly basis (during evening and/or weekends).

Computer-based Self Instruction - To supplement the individualized tutoring and group workshop sessions, and facilitate self-paced learning in specific academic areas, the MERITS Program also includes a computer-based self instruction component.  This component involve the use of desk-top computer stations with appropriate educational software installed to accommodate interactive, self-regulated academic training/learning focused on the improvement of Math and English proficiency for intermediate and high school aged youth.  A qualified computer specialist/instructor was retained to develop learning modules appropriate to the needs of participating youth and provide training and instruction focused on utilizing computer-based resources to offer a heightened level of individualized instruction in key academic subjects.  A needs assessment and Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that clearly sets out academic goals and objectives is completed for each youth and participation in self-instruction modules is based on the ILP. All participants are also required to complete a basic orientation to ensure proper care and handling of hardware.  In addition to facilitating learning opportunities in specific academic areas (Math, English), this component serves to improve the overall skill level and computer literacy of youth participating in the program.  The computer stations are available at the Kihei Youth Center facility during after-school and weekend hours, 7 days a week (excepting some Holidays).

The KYC MERITS Program has been designed to promote self-confidence and self-esteem in under-achieving youth by providing individualized training, instruction and support in the key subject areas of Mathematics and English.  In addition to facilitating improvements in academic performance, MERITS provides youth participants a better understanding of the tremendous importance of competency in Math and English in a practical, “real-life” sense.  The learning skills and knowledge gained by youth participating in the MERITS program will result in individuals who are better prepared to apply sound problem-solving strategies and express themselves clearly in facing the challenges of becoming responsible, effective adults.

Over the next one year program term, the MERITS Program will provide age-appropriate academic assistance, through individualized tutoring, group workshops and computer-based self-instruction modules, to a total of at least 100 youth (45 Native Hawaiians) over one year term.  Specifically: 1) At least 100 youth (45 Native Hawaiians) will participate in individualized one-on-one tutoring sessions focused on improving Math and English proficiency and assisting with the completion of homework assignments: 2) At least 100 youth (45 Native Hawaiians) will attend one or more monthly group workshops focused on improving Math and English proficiency and practical applications of academic learning: 3) At least 50 youth (20 Native Hawaiians) will complete an Individualized Learning Plan, participate in appropriate computer-based self-instruction learning modules and accomplish at least  one (1) personal goal identified in the ILP.

Participant numbers and number/frequency of activities, classes, outings, workshops, case management contacts and sessions, youth interactions, and other quantitative project data will be logged and tabulated daily, and, as appropriate, compiled and reported quarterly/annually. Specific evaluation measures will include (a) Parent/Staff /Youth/Mentor Questionnaires and Grids which note perceived changes/improvement in the areas of competence and motivation; (b) school report cards and academic records; and (c) staff logs, case files and narrative reports.  Student performance documents (e.g. resumes, portfolios, etc.) will be logged and copies saved for monitoring.  In addition to the outcome evaluations conducted for goals and objectives, on-going process evaluations of all program offerings are constantly in process.  Youth evaluations, community feedback and expressed needs for new services are consistently addressed and evaluated.  Staff meets weekly to discuss program strengths and weaknesses and to design improvement plans.