The Department of Education expects to have a list of all public schools offering summer school courses by March 16, and hopes to be able to post the list on the DOE Web site to help concerned parents find classes for their children.

But officials have told a Board of Education committee that the number of schools that plan to offer summer school has dropped dramatically from a year ago. So far only a handful expect to offer summer school, said Keoni Inciong, acting administrator for that section.

Board members have asked the department to find solutions, and Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto said that individual schools are considering different options, including specialized online courses offered during intercessions, and even lengthening the school day.

Hamamoto also told committee members Tuesday that the department is gathering information and looking at recommending extending the summer break.

When the BOE set a unified school calendar a year ago — as mandated by the Legislature — board members chose longer breaks between terms and a seven-week summer to keep students from forgetting what they'd learned. Traditionally, summer breaks have been about 11 weeks.

Student tuition for summer school classes will be $160, the same as last year. Alu Like and Kamehameha Schools will continue to offer financial assistance for those eligible.