The state is asking for more time to meet the requirements of federal grants aimed at turning around poorly performing schools.

The state received $9.3 million last year through the School Improvement Grant program, which requires schools to choose one of four models aimed at boosting student achievement.

The six schools in Hawaii that received grants all picked the "transformation" model, said SIG program manager Bruce Naguwa.

That model requires a school to have a relatively new principal, in the position for less than two years, and that teachers and principals are rated on performance-driven evaluation systems.

Naguwa said Hawaii is seeking a SIG waiver in order to secure another year in which to put a rigorous evaluation system in place.

The waiver would give Hawaii a one-year extension.

The Department of Education is working to overhaul its teacher and principal evaluations, and Naguwa said schools with SIG grants will implement that redesigned system once it’s off the ground.

The Hawaii schools that have received the federal grants are Kamaile Academy in Waianae, Naalehu Elementary, Kau High/Pahala Elementary, Keonepoko Elementary, Hilo Intermediate and Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind in Waikiki.

Naguwa said many states are seeking SIG waivers after realizing efforts to overhaul schools take longer than the time allotted under the federal program. The U.S. Department of Education created the waiver program to address the concerns of states that received grants.

Naguwa said the waiver request will be filed as early as today.

The Department of Education is also seeking comments on its waiver request, which will be accepted through Sept. 1. In a public notice, the DOE said the waiver will give the state more time to put in place "a high-quality teacher and principal evaluation system."