Payments ranging from $1K to $9K will be made June 20
Posted: June 17, 2025
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced that it will continue to pay shortage differentials for career and technical education (CTE) teachers who worked in HIDOE schools during the 2024–2025 school year.
The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association (HSTA) consulted with the employer regarding the implementation of these differentials, which were made possible during the 2024 legislative session when state lawmakers approved funding $2.5 million for CTE teacher differentials in the 2024–2025 school year.
The appropriation aimed to address Hawaiʻi’s shortage and lack of qualified teachers in CTE areas. Information shared with HSTA by HIDOE indicates that since last year, there has been an increase in the number of teachers holding CTE licenses as well as teachers meeting the Hawaiʻi Qualified (HQ) requirements for CTE classes.
The funding provides for a one-time payment in the June 20, 2025, paycheck for qualifying teachers. It is HSTA’s understanding that HIDOE will seek ways to secure funding to continue addressing this shortage differential in subsequent school years.
The shortage differential tier amounts changed slightly from last year. Tier 1 and 2 increased by $1,000 and $500 respectively, while Tier 3 decreased by $1,500.
In consultation with HSTA, it was agreed that the revised amounts would better incentivize teachers who have sought to obtain their CTE licenses, while also maintaining fiscal responsibility, as last year’s program tier amounts exceeded the allocated budget.
To qualify for the shortage differential, HIDOE teachers must teach qualifying courses and meet qualifying criteria, including proper CTE licensure or Hawaiʻi-qualified (HQ) status. They will receive a shortage differential in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $9,000. The criteria for qualification are found in the HIDOE memo published on May 23.
HSTA is awaiting the final list of teachers who qualify. Based on our consultation with HIDOE, we estimate that 528 teachers will qualify for this one-time payment, an increase from last year, as well as an increase in the number of teachers who qualify for the Tier 1 payment of $9,000. Teachers who qualify should start to see personnel action forms (Form 5s) in their school Gmail accounts in the coming weeks, with the actual payment showing up in the June 20 paycheck.
Should you have any questions regarding the CTE shortage differential, please contact Melissa Huntley, a personnel specialist with HIDOE’s Teacher Recruitment Unit, at (808) 441-8437 or via email at melissa.huntley@k12.hi.us. Should you still have questions or need assistance, please contact HSTA by submitting a form here.
We are still awaiting final word on any funding for any CTE shortage differentials in school year 2025-2026.
Special note for charter schools: The 2024 Legislature did not provide separate funding for public charter schools to implement a CTE shortage differential. Similar to other shortage differentials, your charter school can consult with the HSTA should it want to implement one; however, it is responsible for securing the funding necessary to implement the additional pay for the shortage area.