THE PROBLEM
HAWAII HAS A TEACHER SHORTAGE CRISIS
More than 60,000 keiki are not taught by a Hawaii Qualified Teacher (HQT) each year.
Since 2012, the number of teachers leaving Hawaii has Increased by more than 70 percent.
During the 2018–19 school year, Hawaii classrooms had more than 1,000 emergency hires and long-term substitutes to cover vacancies because our teacher shortage is so severe.
THE SOLUTION
OUR GOALS
Retain
Develop and expand programs to retain teachers while recognizing and compensating them for their experience.
Recruit
Attract local students and individuals who want to stay in Hawaii into the field of teaching.
RETENTION
SHORTAGE DIFFERENTIALS
In December 2019, the Hawaii State Board of Education approved $14.7 million in shortage differentials to address high number of vacancies in three categories. The differentials went into effect Jan. 7, 2020, though funding is only guaranteed through the rest of school year 2019–20.
Here are the complexes and differential amounts that currently qualify:
$3,000
Keaau Complex
Pahoa Complex
$5,000
Kealakehe Complex
Kohala Complex
Konawaena Complex
Lahainaluna Complex
$7,500
Honokaa Complex
Kau Complex
$8,000
Hana Complex
Lanai Complex
Molokai Complex
Nanakuli Complex
Waianae Complex
Olomana Complex
Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind*
*Special consideration schools
SHORTAGE DIFFERENTIALS
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Qualified, licensed special education classroom teachers receive annual shortage differential of $10,000.
HSTA special education leaders say collaboration time and relevant PD are also needed.
FELIX V. CAYETANO
In 1993, a federal lawsuit accused the State of Hawaii of failing to provide adequate mental health services to students with special needs.
This resulted in a settlement known as the Felix Consent Decree. Hawaii spent $1.2 billion to meet the terms of the decree.
Prominent attorneys say Hawaii could be sued again for failing to provide federally mandated special needs services.
SHORTAGE DIFFERENTIAL
HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE IMMERSION
Qualified, licensed Hawaiian language immersion classroom teachers receive an annual shortage differential of $8,000.
Only about 100 of 175 Hawaiian language immersion teaching positions in the state are held by educators licensed to teach in Hawaii who speak Hawaiian, meaning that 43 percent of those classrooms are taught by teachers who are not fully qualified.
HOW TO BECOME LICENSED IN HAWAIIAN FIELDS
COMPRESSION
RECOGNITION FOR EXPERIENCE
Teachers should be placed at a salary step that properly reflects their years of service.
Roughly half of those covered in Bargaining Unit 05 are shorted between $900 and $17,000 each year because step increases have not been consistently given over time. Correcting this could affect more than 6,300 educators.
BACKGROUND
TEACHER PAY ADJUSTMENT BILL ADVANCES AT LEGISLATURE
RECRUITMENT
CURRENTLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS
Click the program name for more information on each scholarship.
Bachelor degree (4 years)
| Program | Level | School | Degree | Tuition Funded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3+1 SpEd | E/S | LCC (3 years) and Chaminade (1 year) | BSEd | 100% |
Bachelor degree (years 3 and 4)
| Program | Level | School | Degree | Tuition Funded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exceptional Students in Elementary Education | E | UH Manoa | BEd | 50% |
| Early Childhood/SpEd | PK-3 | UH Manoa | BEd | 50% |
| SpEd | E/S | UH West Oahu | BEd | 50% |
Postbaccalaureate/Professional degree
| Program | Level | School | Degree | Duration | Tuition Funded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grow Our Own Initiative | S | UH Manoa | PBCTe | 18 mo. | 100% |
| Grow Our Own Initiative | S | UH Manoa | MEdT | 2 years | 50% (2 semesters) |
| Kahuawaiola | E/S Hawaiian immersion | UH Hilo | PBCTe/MEdT | 1-2 years | 50% |
| Kahoiwai | E/S | PBCTe | 18 mo. | 100% | |
| SpEd | PK-3/E/S | UH Manoa | PBSpEd | 2 years | 100% |
| SpEd | S/SpEd | UH Manoa | MEdT | 2 years | 94% (31/46 credits and TEACH grant) |
| SpEd | E/S | LCC | APC | 12-18 mo. | 100% |
Abbreviations
E: Elementary
S: Secondary
BSEd: Bachelor of Science in Education
BEd: Bachelor of Education
PBCTe: Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Teacher Education MEdT: Master of Education in Teaching
PBSpEd: Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Special Education
APC: Advanced Professional Certificate
RETENTION
STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
As an educator, you may be able to have all or part of your federal student loans forgiven.
HSTA members can take advantage of NEA’s online Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator powered by Savi
Get a complete list of repayment options and federal loan forgiveness programs based on your personal information for free and avoid common pitfalls, like unnecessary debt consolidation or ineligible loan payments
Free informational workshops from NEA Member Benefits on student debt
Personal questions answered by NEA Retirement Specialist financial advisers
RETENTION
AFFORDABLE TEACHER HOUSING
We have begun working with the state and private sector to create a menu of options so teachers can afford housing in Hawaii.
HSTA is working with financial companies to create loan products for HSTA members that put home ownership within reach.
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union presents the HSTA Mortgage Program to provide educators stronger financial security through affordable and simple mortgage financing. As an HSTA member, you’re eligible for benefits such as:
Down payment as low as 3% with mortgage insurance
Reduced origination and closing costs
Flexible lending qualifications
RETENTION
RECOGNITION FOR EXPERIENCE
HSTA Higher Education Benefit
Members and their family can earn an associate degree online for free. This benefit covers any amount for tuition, fees, or books that is not covered by federal or employer education grants.
HSTA Professional Development
HSTA is working to expand its range of professional development offerings to 50 courses and will reimburse members for completed courses starting in Spring 2020 as long as funds are available.
NEA Micro-Credentials
HSTA is working with the NEA and HIDOE to offer micro-credentials for possible reclassification.
RETENTION
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
Earn more as a National Board Certified Teacher! HSTA encourages and supports our members to achieve National Board Certification.
NBCTs in Hawaii’s public schools receive a $5,000 annual stipend for the life of the certificate.
NBCTs receive an additional $5,000 if their school meets certain criteria.
HSTA offers NEA Jump Start informational sessions and cohorts on every island, and free candidate support for those earning certification.
Schools with an additional $5,000 NBCT bonus
Hard-to-Staff
- Hana High and Elementary
- Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science PCS
- Ka Waihona o ka Naauao PCS
- Kamaile Academy PCS
- Kau High and Pahala Elementary
- Kau Learning Academy PCS
- Kaunakakai Elementary
- Ke Kula Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki Lab PCS
- Keaau Elementary
- Keaau High
- Keaau Middle
- Keonepoko Elementary
- Kilohana Elementary
- Kua O Ka La PCS
- Kualapuu School PCS
- Lanai High and Elementary
- Leihoku Elementary
- Maili Elementary
- Makaha Elementary
- Molokai High
- Molokai Middle
- Mountain View Elementary
- Na Wai Ola PCS
- Naalehu Elementary
- Nanaikapono Elementary
- Nanakuli Elementary
- Nanakuli High and Intermediate
- Pahoa Elementary
- Pahoa High and Intermediate
- Volcano Sch Art/Sci PCS
- Waianae Elementary
- Waianae High
- Waianae Intermediate
CSI and TSI Schools*
- Barbers Point Elementary
- Central Middle
- Hana High and Elementary
- Hawaii Academy of Arts & Science PCS
- Ka Waihona o ka Naauao PCS
- Kahuku Elementary
- Kamaile Academy PCS
- Kaumana Elementary
- Kaunakakai Elementary
- Kawananakoa Middle
- Ke Kula Nawahiokalaniopuu Iki Lab PCS
- Kealakehe Intermediate
- Keonepoko Elementary
- Kilohana Elementary
- Kohala Middle
- Kua O Ka La PCS
- Kualapuu School PCS
- Lanai High and Elementary
- Molokai High
- Molokai Middle
- Na Wai Ola PCS
- Nanakuli High and Intermediate
- Olomana
- Pahoa High and Intermediate
- Volcano Sch Art/Sci PCS
- Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate
*Does not include TSI-CU schools
WATCH
In this video, HSTA President Corey Rosenlee discusses new developments in our plan to end Hawaii’s teacher shortage crisis. 
LISTENING SESSIONS
EDUCATORS SPEAK UP
In September 2019, hundreds of educators, parents, and students spoke out during a listening tour held by the Hawaii Department of Education about teacher compensation, while another 1,000 people answered an online survey.
On Hawaii Island, educators suggest ways the state could retain more teachers
On Maui, educators who are parents worry their own children's education system is failing them
TEACHER SHORTAGE CRISIS
FIVE YEARS AT A GLANCE
To create a strong public school system in Hawaii, we need:
Free college
Teacher housing
Competitive compensation
Hard-to-staff incentives
Steps to years
Teacher recruitment
Hawaiian immersion
Special education support
Free professional development
Advertised scholarships
If you are an HSTA member, please stay connected and join us in advocating for these important issues!
- Make sure you have a registered account on our website, and
- Subscribe to our weekly Member Matters email newsletters.
If you are a Bargaining Unit 05 member, please join our union!