For the most part, the goal of the federal No Child Left Behind law and the Hawai'i-based Harold K.L. Castle Foundation are the same: to close the achievement gap in our schools.

But on one key point, the two couldn't be any further apart. Where No Child penalizes failures, the Castle Foundation rewards success.

Last week, 21 schools throughout the state were the benefactors of that mandate when the foundation awarded each of them $10,000 for increasing reading scores for third-grade students. This was the first year the foundation awarded such grants, and it is the first step in its commitment to improve the quality of education in all our schools.

The elementary schools honored had each increased reading scores by 20 or more percentage points on the Hawai'i State Assessment reading exams from 2003 to 2006. Now the work begins.

The Castle Foundation requested that the schools submit a "self reflection," explaining how they have made gains in the state through special reading programs and innovative strategies. A cross section of those submissions will be used for a broader analysis, with the goal being to create a model for other schools.

"We have this tendency to look outside our state to see how other schools are doing things, but it's difficult for teachers to relate," said Marisa Castuera, program officer for Castle Foundation. "We wanted to highlight our in-state successes. These are more relevant to our local teachers."

Castle Foundation has partnered with the DOE, as well several non-profit organizations. This is the type of teamwork and positive reinforcement that is crucial to improving the quality of education in our state. Given the stringent policies of No Child, this is truly a refreshing approach.

"It's not about compliance," Castuera said. "It's about how we can do right by our kids."

Indeed.