Fast Facts:

Law enacted: 1994

Number of charter schools: 39

Number of charter students: 13,100

Cap on the number of schools allowed: No

Virtual charters allowed: Yes

Charter Law Analysis:

AUTHORIZERS: Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission (SPCSC) has statewide authorizing authority. Universities, county and state education agencies, and nonprofits are permitted to apply to the state board of education to authorize charters as well. However, there are currently no active authorizers other than the SPCSC. Appeals go to the state board. Charter schools must provide their authorizers with full access to their fiscal and accounting files. It requires authorizers to select three independent auditors, from which the charter school will select one. It also prohibits individuals from serving as Charter School Commission members if the individual was affiliated with a charter school within one year preceding appointment. While these changes were not large in scope, they do create additional regulation in a state that's already over-regulated.

GROWTH: There is no cap, but the regulatory environment has led to slow growth of charter schools in Hawaii. The state's charter schools have seen a 2% increase in enrollment over the last 5 years.

OPERATIONS: Charters receive a blanket waiver from most regulations that apply to district schools. The Commission, however, heavily regulates charters, especially finances, which greatly limits autonomy. Charters are also subject to the master collective bargaining agreement that applies to all Hawaiian teachers.

EQUITY: Charter school funding is a line item in the state budget, making charters vulnerable to budget cuts and other funding inequities.

Fast Facts:

USE OF STUDENT DATA IN EVALUATING TEACHER PREP

"Hawaii does not currently use student achievement or growth data to hold teacher preparation programs accountable."

This is just one indicator from The National Council on Teacher Quality, which collects and analyzes states on how well their policies and practices lead to well-prepared teachers. They collect data on state laws and regulations concerning the preparation of teachers, the policies that govern their oversight and the contracts that guide their employment. Learn more about your state here.