U.S. Department of Education will extend $46 million in federal funds for another year to the Native Hawaiian Education Program.
Hawai’i Democrat U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon reached an agreement in May for the funding to continue. Schatz also requested during their meeting that the department avoid cuts to the program.
“This is good news for Hawai‘i,” said Schatz in announcing the funding extension. “This money helps thousands of young kids develop learning skills and gives local families more affordable child care options.”
Schatz is vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“I’m grateful to Secretary McMahon for working with us to protect this funding and will continue working every day to make sure Hawai‘i gets its fair share of federal dollars,” the senator said.
The $46 million extension guarantees more than 60 Native Hawaiian Education Program early childhood education grant recipients throughout the state fully funded for at least another year.
Funding also helps sustain other critical education programs, including home visiting for children younger than 5 years old, workforce development for parents and Hawaiian language immersion programs.
The federally funded programs serve more than 3,000 Hawai‘i families.
More about the U.S. Department of Education proposed funding extension can be found online.
