Feds Scold Hawaii, $75M Education Grant At Stake

By Adrienne LaFrance 12/22/2011
Hawaii Department of Education

WASHINGTON — The federal government slapped Hawaii with an unusual and stern warning that it stands to lose $75 million in Race to the Top education grant money due to the state's "unsatisfactory performance."

The U.S. Department of Education is putting Hawaii's grant on "high-risk status," as a result, according to a Dec. 21 letter that DOE Policy Director Ann Whalen sent to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Hawaii is the first Race to the Top recipient to be given a "high-risk" designation.

Race to the Top is the Obama administration's signature education reform initiative, and the DOE's letter to Hawaii suggests that the administration is aggressively monitoring states' use of funds. The federal scolding also indicates that the DOE could be making an example of Hawaii as a way to show other states that grant recipients will be held accountable.

Whalen wrote that Hawaii has "not demonstrated adequate progress" in implementing the programs that the DOE approved in its Race to the Top award to the state. Hawaii is one of 11 states, along with the District of Columbia, that have shared a portion of more than $4 billion in Race to the Top grant money. Hawaii was awarded $75 million to implement its proposed education reforms between 2011 and 2014.

http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2011/12/22/14311-feds-scold-hawaii-75m-education-grant-at-stake/