The report highlights reforms such as the new teacher evaluation system, Common Core professional development opportunities and progress at the state’s most struggling schools.

But it also points to ongoing challenges the state faces over the final year of the grant program, including issues with math standards, the lack of adequate data systems and hitches with the teacher evaluation system. 

A press release from the state Department of Education cites U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan as saying this during a media call:

When we originally gave (Hawaii) the RTTT grant, lots of folks doubted our judgment there, and said there was no way they could be successful. They initially struggled…a lot of people didn’t think they could succeed, and they’ve shown amazing leadership in a relatively short amount of time…they’ve made huge progress.

The praise is noteworthy considering that Hawaii’s Race to the Top grant was put on high-risk status in December 2011 largely because of its issues with the “Educator Effectiveness System.” The high-risk status was removed last July. One USDOE official, Ann Whalen, called Hawaii one of the federal government’s “rising stars.” She gave the Aloha State a “shout out” in a recent press conference with reporters. 

The report covers the 2012-13 school year and points to improved performance on national assessments and access to more rigorous course work such as Advanced Placement classes, the ratified contract with the Hawaii State Teachers Association in 2013 and the implementation of the new evaluation system, new college-and-career-readiness standards and the support the DOE has provided for struggling school regions such as Waianae and Nanakuli. 

Read the full report here.