HAWAII DELEGATION ANNOUNCES $47 MILLION IN EDUCATION FUNDING FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS
Washington, D.C. – The Hawaii Congressional Delegation today announced that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will allocate over $47 million in Title I, Part A Grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui counties for school year (SY) 2015-2016.
“Investing in our children’s education is one of the best ways to help them reach their full potential. But too often, schools in underserved communities lack the necessary resources to make that happen,” said U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee. “This funding will give schools across Hawai‘i the resources they need to help our children succeed.”
“When I came with my mother from Japan to Hawaii as a small child, I enrolled in Hawaii’s public schools without knowing any English. If it were not for my teachers and my mother’s high expectations, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i). “I know firsthand that quality education opens the door to opportunity and it is critical that our schools have essential resources to ensure success. Investing in our keiki is the best investment we can make and these funds will help our public schools and students most at need.”
“Our keiki deserve a high-quality education, and the opportunity to gain the tools and skills that will best equip them for success and a bright future,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02). “Strong schools and good teachers can help break the cycle of poverty that trap many families, but only if they are given the resources and support needed to empower students. We owe it to our next generation of leaders to give them every opportunity to succeed, regardless of where they come from or their socioeconomic status.”
“I am very happy that Hawaii’s public school system will receive this grant,” said Congressman Mark Takai (HI-01). “These funds will be directed toward students and schools that need extra resources — primarily schools that are located in low-income and underserved communities. Hawaii’s public schools educate the majority of our keiki, and federal grants such as this help provide our schools with the resources they need to succeed. I will continue to work closely with the congressional delegation to maximize the federal support coming in to our state.”
Title I Grants to LEAs provide financial assistance to school districts for services that improve the teaching and learning of children at risk of not meeting academic achievement requirements. Based on a variety of factors such as per-pupil expenditures, poverty, and population estimates, Title I Grants are targeted to help students who reside in high concentration areas of children from low-income families.
The preliminary allocations per county are as follows: Hawaii County, $10,653,162; Honolulu County, $29,380,200; Kauai County, $2,054,375; Maui County, $4,925,038. Final allocations are expected to be released by ED in June 2015, which will differ slightly from the from the preliminary allocations.
