The Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) is an organized research unit in the College of Education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Since 1966, CRDG has served the educational community locally, nationally, and internationally by
- Conducting research and creating, evaluating, disseminating, and supporting educational programs that serve students, teachers, parents, and other educators in grades pre-K–12; and
- Contributing to the body of professional knowledge and practice in teaching and learning, curriculum development, program dissemination and implementation, evaluation and assessment, and school improvement.
CRDG works in partnership with the University Laboratory School (ULS), a public charter school, as its research and development laboratory under an agreement with the local school board. ULS provides a K–12 student population in a controlled environment where CRDG faculty members conduct their R&D work. Additionally, ULS serves as a demonstration site for improving K–12 education while providing a high quality education for its approximately 420 students. The students, randomly selected from among applicants to represent a broad cross-section of the state’s population, provide real world data on ways all students can succeed.
CRDG’s work is focused on these five interrelated fields of educational endeavor, each of which addresses a central issue facing education in Hawai‘i, on the U.S. mainland, in American overseas schools, and in other nations.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education
CRDG continues to focus on PreK–12 learning progressions and associated curriculum development, professional development, evaluation, and implementation support in STEM. CRDG STEM programs are recognized nationally and internationally as being among the best inquiry-based programs available.
Hawai‘i, Asia, and the Pacific
CRDG programs focus on our unique place in the world. Programs in social studies, humanities, the arts, and STEM reflect the cultural and environmental influences of Hawai‘i , Asia, and the Pacific. A particular emphasis is on providing access and support for Native Hawaiian learners.
Serving Diverse Learners
CRDG research, development, and resulting programs emphasize equal opportunity and equity of access for all students. Programs are designed to provide success for diverse student populations, including the full range of ability levels and underserved ethnic/minority groups, taught in heterogeneous classrooms. Developing strategies to include all learners is essential to a democratic society.
Educational Technology Development
CRDG learning technology faculty work in teams with content experts and curriculum designers to create and evaluate more effective uses of technology in PreK-12 classrooms and in professional development and support for teachers.
Designing Educational Systems
Understanding how existing educational systems operate (including curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment systems) and designing more effective systemic approaches to schooling is an essential component of CRDG’s work. Faculty expertise in program research and evaluation enables CRDG to better understand how systems work (or don’t work) in supporting learning.
