U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Monday that Hawaii K-12 schools will receive more than $56.5 million in new federal funding for the 2021-22 school year to support teacher professional development, additional educators, new technology, and other academic programs at public schools serving low income students.
These funds will be given directly to Title I schools — where a disproportionate number of students live in poverty — and will benefit nearly 85,000 students in Hawaii, according to Schatz (D-Hawaii). Hawaii County is slated to receive nearly $14.2 million, Kauai County $2.3 million, Maui County $6.36 million and the City and County of Honolulu $33.7 million.
“This new federal funding will help Hawaii public schools in low income areas hire more teachers and offer more academic support programs for students in need,” said the member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “As we rebuild our economy after this pandemic, we’ll keep working to make sure every kid can get a quality education in our state.”
Education agencies should receive the funds by July 1.
Authorized under Title I Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Title I funding is the largest source of federal funding for elementary and secondary education in the country. These grants 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.
In addition, Hawaii will receive $24,099 in Title I Part D Subpart grants. This funding is distributed to schools with high numbers or percentages of children and youth in locally operated juvenile correctional facilities, including facilities involved in community day programs, Schatz said.