When the U.S. Department of Education last month rebuked Hawaii for its failure to meet critical Race to the Top grant milestones, state leaders were quick to respond that they’d do everything necessary to hang onto the $75 million in federal funds. 

But Hawaii’s new “high-risk” status from the federal government comes with a bigger question: Who can be held accountable for getting Hawaii into this mess?

Civil Beat’s Katherine Poythress explored the extent to which the flap over Hawaii teacher contract negotiations played a part in delaying Race to the Top implementation. She also examined the governor’s role, and the role of two other individuals who signed onto the grant for Hawaii.

Read the full story.