Gabbard visits Hawaii schools targeted for reforms

HONOLULU (AP) - U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is visiting low-income, low-performing Hawaii schools targeted for education reforms under a $75 million federal grant.

The congresswoman's office says Gabbard is visiting the schools to get an update on progress they're making toward Race to the Top reforms. She visited Keaau High and Keaau Middle schools on the Big Island Tuesday.

On Wednesday, she's heading to Oahu's Leeward Coast to visit schools in Nanakuli.

Schools in Waianae and Nanakuli on Oahu and in Kau, Keaau and Pahoa on the Big Island make up the zones most affected by the reforms.

The U.S. Department of Education warned the state it hadn't made acceptable progress on a reform plan that won Hawaii the grant. They warned Hawaii could lose the money if progress isn't made.