Heard on NPR: HAWAII COULD LOSE FEDERAL EDUCATION DOLLARS: The state of Hawaii is in danger of losing millions of dollars in Race to the Top funds due to its "unsatisfactory" performance.

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Broadcast December 22, 2011 [Transcript 1 min 0 sec]

LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:

Hawaii's public schools received a windfall last year when the state won a $75 million federal grant. The state was one of 12 winners in a high-profile competition called Race to the Top, the signature education initiative of the Obama administration.

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

Now, Hawaii could lose that money. The Department of Education is calling Hawaii's performance under the grant unsatisfactory. In a letter to Hawaii's governor, it said the state is now on high-risk status.

WERTHEIMER: This is a first for a winner of the Race to the Top program. In its proposal, Hawaii submitted a detailed plan to improve low-performing schools.

MONTAGNE: It also promised to launch a new teacher evaluation system tied to performance. Feds say the state is behind in implementing many aspects of the plan.

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