U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will be on Oahu on Sunday and Monday to visit public schools and recognize Hawaii’s progress with Race to the Top reforms.

Duncan last week lauded Hawaii’s public school system for reaching goals in the third year of its four-year, $75 million Race to the Top grant, calling Hawaii "a rising star" in academic improvement.

The state Department of Education won the money in 2010 after pledging sweeping education reforms, including plans to turn around its lowest-performing schools, boost student achievement and improve teacher and principal effectiveness.

While in Hawaii the 50th state the education secretary will have visited since entering the post in 2009 Duncan is scheduled to hold three public events.

He’s scheduled to host a panel discussion with military families Sunday afternoon to talk about issues facing military-connected students.

On Monday he’ll visit Ka Waihona o ka Naauao, a public charter school in Waianae, and Waipahu High School.

Duncan is scheduled to participate in a traditional Hawaiian greeting ceremony at Ka Waihona o ka Naauao and learn about the Native Hawaiian culture-based education the school provides.

He will tour Waipahu High with Gov. Neil Abercrombie and schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and have lunch at the school’s student-run cafe.

Waipahu High the state’s second-largest public high school, where 54 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch has used Race to the Top money on programs that aim to better prepare students for college and careers.

The last time an education secretary visited Hawaii was in 1994.

Duncan will head to Hawaii from New Zealand, where he is participating in the International Summit on the Teaching Profession.

The estimated cost to taxpayers for both trips is $67,000, including airfare and hotels for Duncan and eight staffers, the Washington Post reported Thursday.