Tens of thousands of disadvantaged Hawai'i students eligible for free tutoring in reading and math are missing out on the extra help, education officials said yesterday.

Though an estimated 41,000 low-income students at more than 100 underperforming schools qualify for tutoring under federal No Child Left Behind guidelines, less than 10 percent — or about 4,000 — used the service last year.

While that's an improvement over the previous year's total of 2,447 students and even more are expected this year, it's far from adequate considering the federal resources available, education officials said.

Federal funding covers the cost of the tutoring. Out of $4 million allotted last year, about $3 million was spent. The previous year, with $3.4 million allotted, just $1.5 million was spent. But far more federal money could be devoted to tutoring if more students signed up.

The money not used is returned to schools, but officials still want more students to take advantage of what the law offers.

"We're seeing an increased number of families taking up these services," Butch Adams, a special programs management specialist for the state Department of Education, said at a Board of Education committee meeting yesterday.

"We're looking at what we can do to help families take advantage of these services," he said.

Schools are holding information sessions and sending fliers to let families know help is available. But it's up to families to apply and to choose the provider they feel would be most appropriate for their children.

LUKEWARM RESPONSE

At some schools, "provider nights" have been scheduled to bring in the dozen or so agencies approved to provide tutoring.

At one school, Adams said, just four parents showed up.

On another occasion, "one middle school sent out 125 letters (aimed specifically at families whose children need help) and got just 10 replies," he said.

But department officials also understand the pressures disadvantaged parents face. They may be working multiple jobs to support their families, and not able to attend such sessions.

Adams also said the way information is offered can make a difference.

"If you give parents a whole bunch of individual fact sheets (on different providers of services) they get overwhelmed," he said. So to make it a little easier for parents, schools are also trying to provide overview sheets with providers on one page.

Besides seeking tutoring, low-income parents of children at under-performing schools also may request to move their child to a better-performing school and are eligible for reimbursement for transportation costs.

This year, Hawai'i received $47.5 million in Title 1 federal funding to support the No Child Left Behind Act. According to the law, up to 20 percent of that money must be allocated for parent choice items including tutoring, and transportation if the parent chooses to move their child to a better-performing school.

UNUSED SERVICES

While Hawai'i can allot $9.4 million for a combination of both, it allocates far less because the services have not been used.

Last year, only $9,500 was spent for transportation costs. While 666 students switched schools based on NCLB guidelines, only four applied for transportation subsidies. That money covered reimbursements to their families for transportation costs to the other schools at the rate of 37 cents a mile.

The year before, less than $5,000 was spent on transportation costs.

"Most parents are saying, 'I would drive my child anyway,' " Adams said. "A lot of parents are feeling it's their responsibility to provide transportation."

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