The Hawaii Congressional Delegation has announced that the U.S. Department of Education will allocate more than $47 million in Title I, Part A Grants to local educational agencies in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties for the 2015-2016 school year.
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.
“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.”
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who is a member of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said investing in the education of Hawaii’s children is one of the best ways to help them reach their full potential. “But too often, schools in under-served communities lack the necessary resources to make that happen,” Senator Schatz said. “This funding will give schools across Hawaii the resources they need to help our children succeed.”
Maui County’s preliminary allocation of funds will be nearly $5 million. The additional preliminary allocations per county are as follows: Hawaii County, $10.6 million; Honolulu County, $29.4 million; and Kauai County, $2 million. Final allocations are expected to be released by U.S. Department of Education in June 2015, which will differ slightly from the announced preliminary allocations.
Congressman Mark Takai (HI-01) said the funds will be directed toward students and schools that need extra resources—primarily schools that are located in low-income and under-served communities. “I am very happy that Hawaii’s public school system will receive this grant,” Takai said. “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.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) said she knows firsthand that quality education opens the door to opportunity and it is critical that our schools have essential resources to ensure success. “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,” Hirono said. “If it were not for my teachers and my mother’s high expectations, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Investing in our keiki is the best investment we can make and these funds will help our public schools and students most at need.”
Photo of Tulsi Gabbard: TSgt Michael R. Holzworth/Wikimedia Commons
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