Hawaii’s congresswomen were among 365 representatives who voted in favor of the bill, which aims to revise portions of the controversial No Child Left Behind education reform. 

Hirono issued a statement about her position, saying the act would help apply more scrutiny to Hawaii’s 31 charter schools and strengthen federal funding opportunities. 

“Some charter schools, such as Native Hawaiian-focused schools, have pioneered innovative methods in improving education that show that all kids can achieve,” Hirono said. “This bill makes sure those innovations are shared with all public schools.”

In addition to encouraging sharing best practices between charter schools and traditional public schools, the act would require charter schools to publicly file their financial audits and expand the programs for which charter schools can receive federal funds.  

Hirono’s office said that the act would also give more people the opportunity to seek federal funds for charter schools, including school officials.  

“For example, from 2008 through 2010, the Hawaii State Dept. of Education decided not to apply for funding from the federal charter schools program,” Hirono’s spokesman wrote in a statement. “Had this provision been in law, the governor or the state charter school board could have applied for the funding on their own.”

Hanabusa submitted an amendment that would have beefed up criminal background check requirements for teachers in states that receive federal funding, but it did not pass. 

“The journey to update and improve our education system is a journey of a thousand steps,” Hirono said in a statement. “Improving our charter schools is an important step, but it is one step.”