HI HCR169

Department of Education is requested to contract with a third-party consultant specializing in school finance to conduct a study on adequacy of public education funding in Hawaii

Consultant must have previous experience conducting studies of public education systems in multiple jurisdictions

Study shall assess equity of funding among schools, review funding studies from other states (including Vermont and Washington examples), employ multiple evaluation methods, and identify variables associated with high-quality education

Study shall estimate additional funding needed to provide equal education opportunity to all public school students and compare Hawaii teacher salaries to districts of similar size and cost of living

Department of Education must submit study results to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2021, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation