Hawaii Adequacy Study Calls for 17% Increase
The State of Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) finds that the state needs to increase funding for schools by 17% ($278 million) to achieve “adequate” schools, reflecting a rise from $8,598 to $10,117 in average per pupil spending. The goal of the study was to “develop an adequacy funding model that can be used as a tool for determining the level of funding required to support the vision and goals of the DOE and Board of Education (BOE).”
The Method
After defining DOE and BOE goals, the study develops three Baseline School models, based on estimates of how the 2003-04 budget was spent at average elementary, middle, and high schools. These models demonstrate the capabilities of current schools to provide educational programs. The study then identifies Adequacy Factors, a set of school characteristics that can be used to evaluate how well a school is functioning and how successful are reform efforts. In order for Baseline Schools to achieve the adequacy goals, the study recommends that they adopt Adequacy Interventions. These interventions are research-based practices that require additional funding. The report then recommends a implementation plan phased in over five years to improve schools' effectiveness in educating students to meet identified goals.
High Adequacy Standards
According to the study, an adequate education in Hawaii :
 Offers all students equal educational opportunity and addresses special needs
Enables students to participate in a democratic, pluralistic society and market economy
Develops mastery of fundamental academic skills and fosters higher order thinking
Ensures safety through adequate facilities and learning resources
Transmits diverse cultures of the State while fostering the adjustment of new immigrants
Brings together educators and community members to work for student success
Adequate Schools
The study creates “Adequacy Schools” and calculates the changes needed in the state's current schools to achieve the defined goals. They incorporate the key Adequacy Interventions, the most cost-effective practices in attaining DOE goals. The interventions focus most on elementary education, including funding for tutoring, technology, professional development, and special education. The additional cost for adequate middle schools includes increased counseling, professional development, and school-based instructional improvement. Additionally, the study recommends increased funding for core instructional staff, post-secondary programs, and counseling for high school students. All three school levels should increase parent-community networking, and improve teacher quality and data management, the study says.
After determining the per pupil amounts for adequate schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, the authors multiplied these amounts by the number of students statewide at each grade level and totaled the costs. These costs result in the $278 million annually that the study claims the state of Hawaii needs to spend to raise all schools to “adequacy.”
Next Steps
The study recommends that DOE share its findings with government officials, school administrators, teachers, and the public, and create a non-partisan commission to update adequacy models annually, oversee implementation, and communicate with various stakeholders.
The study was conducted by Grant Thornton.
Prepared by Katherine Lu, October 11, 2005
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