Hawaii


U.S.
Rank
#39 D
Overall PPI Score: 62%

Hawaii, ranked 39th with a D-, sees innovation taking root slowly. The Aloha State’s lack of charter expansion keeps broader educational freedom just beyond reach, leaving families wanting more.

Charter Schools

Score
72%
Grade: C
Rank: #29

A small but robust and diverse array of schools are highly prized but heavily regulated, limiting their autonomy and potential for growth, making Hawaii the fifteenth weakest charter law in the nation.

Transformational Learning

Score
70%
Grade: C
Rank: #38

Students in Hawaii are able to participate in dual enrollment and a robust CTE program; they can pursue career pathways in various fields and earn industry-recognized certifications. The state’s focus on place-based learning is unique and there’s an emphasis...

Leadership

Josh Green, elected in 2022, picked up where Governor David Ige left off and not much has changed for families opportunity wise. While he did increase funding for Pre-K facilities, it may be time to take a more serious review of innovative approaches and...

Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)

Score
50%
Grade: F
Rank: #49

Hawaii has no private school choice programs.

DID YOU KNOW?

Even as innovation surges nationwide, high-spending states like California, New York, and Oregon still limit families' options, showing that dollars alone don't guarantee education freedom.

Transparency

School report cards are easily accessible on their Department of Education homepage by clicking “Vision for Success.” The ‘Strive HI’ platform provides lots of information, individual school reports are comprehensive, clear and easy to read, providing a...

Teacher Quality

One of many data points to assess whether a state has the right policies in place to ensure teacher quality is the "use of student achievement data in teacher preparation accountability." How empty or full the fuel tank above is will give you the answer for your state.

Fast Facts:

4th Grade Math Proficiency: 37%
8th Grade Math Proficiency: 22%
4th Grade Reading Proficiency: 42%
8th Grade Reading Proficiency: 23%
Average SAT Score: 1124 / 1600
Average ACT Score: 17.7 / 36
Graduation Rate: 85.4%

Constitutional Issues

Hawaii's Supreme Court has interpreted the state's Blaine Amendment broadly and restrictively.