LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i County has received nearly $2 million in federal funding for education for the 2020-2021 school year to support initiatives aimed at helping educate low income students.
The funding was announced Monday by the Senate Appropriations Committee; a total of $54,188,238 in new federal money for Hawaii K-12 schools, through the Title I Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Kaua‘i County received $1,996,481 of that money — $14,451,796 went to Hawai‘i County, $32,938,682 went to Honolulu County and Maui County received $4,779,116.
The funds will be given directly to local education agencies to provide extra academic support at schools where a disproportionate number of students live in poverty. They can be used for teacher professional development, additional teachers, new technology, and academic programs among others.
In addition, Hawai‘i will receive $22,254.00 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.
In Hawai‘i approximately 97,000 public school students are enrolled in Title I schools.
Hawai‘i Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said: “This new federal funding means local schools will have more resources for students from low-income families. These funds can help cover the costs of teacher training, new technology, and course materials.”
