The Governor says a tentative labor deal with the teachers union should help the state secure $75 million dollars in federal "Race to the Top" money.
At the end of last year, Hawaii's funds were listed as "at risk" because of what the department of education termed as an unsatisfactory implementation of the program.
A team from Hawaii will travel to Washington D.C. this week to discuss the progress that's been made.
"We're very very confident that we have a child centered turn in our whole educational process and I'm very very hopeful that will be reflected in our race to the top activity as well," says Governor Neil Abercrombie.
The Governor says teacher pay will also be increased toward the end of the six year labor deal.
The union members must still vote on the deal which was approved by the union board.
