I've lived in Mtn Home since 1989, so that's...hold on...I'm thinking...WOW! Exactly 25 years! Boy, I think I can almost declare myself an Idahoan. But my family is British and I grew up in Louisiana around lots of other Brits so I still think I'm a little bit of a mutt. Those of you who have been around awhile may remember when I used to blog all the time. My opinions weren't very accepted and there was always an issue because I work for the county. That really wasn't fair because I NEVER blog at work! And I am still entitled to my opinions and thoughts about city and county issues, right? However, it stirred a lot of pots and those pots certainly can make a lot of noise! Since I'm a writer, I took what I wrote in my blog seriously so I spent a lot of time researching things which got exhausting to do when you're not even get a paycheck for it. So I stopped. That was a blessing to many! However, to this day, I still have people stop me and ask me why I wasn't blogging and t! hey missed it. I've missed it. Mainly because there are so many issues that come up and I have no voice except around my friends and I'm sure they are tired of it.

What is SENATE BILL NO. 1113

Posted Saturday, February 19, 2011, at 10:55 AM

I read the entire bill (exhausting!) and have made notes on the bulk of the changes that Luna is wanting to take place. I realize that there will be a loss of teacher jobs. I wouldn't wish for anyone to lose their job. I am simply stating what the bill says.

(33-125) STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION -- CREATION -- DUTIES: The state superintendent is the executive officer with the responsibility for carrying out policies, procedures and duties authorized by law:

1. Administer grants for the promotion of science education.

2. Post a fiscal report card on each school district and charter school on the department's internet site.

3. Creation of internet based expenditure website.

4. Posting the approved budget on the website within 30 days.

5. Posting any current labor agreements approved by the education provider's governing board.

6. Archive all expenditures for several years.

Personal Comment: I am skipping over some of the repeated sections about Fractional Average Daily Assistance which is the money the district receives per student. The big problem here is money!

Under the proposed Fractional Average Daily Assistance, if one of a student's classes is an online course; two-thirds of the ADA would go to the provider, and the district would keep one third for providing space and support. Today, districts get the full ADA even if the student is being taught online.

Here are the changes that the bill covers that pertain to the students actual education:

(33-1022) PUBLIC SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY: money appropriated for the following:

1. Installation, repair, replacement and support of wireless technology

2. High quality digital learning resources and software linked to state and local curricula, including model lesson plans, content and formative and summative assessments tied to rigorous college and career-ready standards.

3. Classroom technology that assists teachers

4. Safe and secure online knowledge sharing and collaboration systems.

5. Professional development and training that promotes the effective use of technology

6. The development of plans for the improved use and integration of technology in learning.

(33-1626) Granted dual credit for early completers (Students who complete online and onsite courses which cause them to finish earlier)

(33-1627) Online courses: mobile computing devices and teacher training:

1. To better prepare students for the future. Beginning with the ninth grade class of the 2012-2013 school year, students shall be required to successfully complete at least four (4) credits of online courses in order to graduate.

2. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, parents and guardians of secondary students shall have the right to enroll such students in any online course, with or without the permission of the school district or public charter school in which the student is enrolled.

3. In order to assist in providing students with access to online courses, the state department of education shall contract for the provision of mobile computing devices for each high school.

One thing that I know for sure, every area of state government will have to make serious money-related changes or face bankruptcy. Every area/department should be evaluated to consolidate resourses, trim unnecessary expenses and/or eliminate services or positions that are obsolete. The educational system is not immune to this process. There are areas in the Administrative area that could be cut or improved. And most important in all of this is the benefit of the children. In order for the schools to increase the student's knowledge of technology, there has to be changes.

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How about posting the definition of "basic education". Then we need to look at whatever it is that students need to learn and whatever it is that teachers need to teach. Next, we need to understand the difference between curricular and "extra" curricular. If we do these things we might have a great start in solving our education problems and the fiscal issues? Rather then fix and refix a broken system how about we start over - at the beginning.

-- Posted by bob8492 on Sat, Feb 19, 2011, at 4:23 PM
How dare Luna, as the head of education for Idaho, DARE to propose anything that would actually EDUCATE and God forbid cut the endless spending habits of local districts for those things that are not actually mandated under the law.

How dare the head of education for Idaho put a focus on EDUCATION?

Our local MHSD officials should take/make note.

Bob, you can find what is mandated by law, for the State of Idaho, for education here:

http://law.justia.com/idaho/codes/2010/title33/title33.html

We are said to be the richest nation yet have the most poory educated students compared to places like Japan and Germany.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sun, Feb 20, 2011, at 8:29 AM
Good question; what is "Basic" Education?

The following minimum courses of study in mandatory subjects are required in nearly all U.S. high schools:

Science (usually two years minimum, normally biology, chemistry and physics)

Mathematics (usually two years minimum, normally including algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, statistics, and even calculus)

English (usually four years minimum, including literature, humanities, composition, oral languages, etc.)

Social sciences (usually three years minimum, including various history, government/economics courses)

Physical education (at least one year)

These are the basics. Do you agree?

Here is are some interesting comments about American Education:

According to a 1999 article by William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education, increased levels of spending on public education have not made the schools better. Among many other things, the article cites the following statistics:

Between 1960 and 1995, U.S. public school spending per student, adjusted for inflation, increased by 212%.

In 1994, less than half of all U.S. public school employees were teachers.

Out of 21 industrialized countries, U.S. 12th graders ranked 19th in math, 16th in science, and last in advanced physics.

A 2008 report by The Heritage Foundation provides the following chart based on data from the US Department of Education indicating no real improvement in reading scores, while per student expenditure more than doubles from $4,060 in 1970 to $9,266 in 2005.

In the 2006 assessment, the U.S. ranked 35th out of 57 in mathematics and 29th out of 57 in science. Reading scores could not be reported due to printing errors in the instructions of the U.S. test booklets. U.S. scores were behind those of most other developed nations.[109] While US teens' performance was mediocre in the Programme for International Student Assessment tests, which emphasizes problem solving, US fourth and eighth graders tested above average on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study tests, which emphasizes traditional learning. (OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment)

In 2010, American students rank 17th in the world. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development says that this is due to focusing on the low end of performers. All of the recent gains have been made, deliberately, at the low end of the socioeconomic scale and among the lowest achievers. The country has been outrun, the study says, by other nations because the US has not done enough to encourage the highest achievers.(Reed, Matt (12 December 2010). "Tackling 'achievement gap' hurts US schools". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1B)

-- Posted by kimkovac on Sun, Feb 20, 2011, at 9:59 AM
reply to OpinionMissy: I know where to find what is mandated by Idaho Education law. I am trying my best to encourage other people who are interested in our educational issues to understand the basics of the system. My experience leads me to believe that asking the right questions frequently gets people thinking. Just telling the answers most often turns people off to really understanding the problems and potential solutions. It is within our power to go back to step one and address these proposed fixes in a way that brings people together.

-- Posted by bob8492 on Sun, Feb 20, 2011, at 10:09 AM
Kim: you overwhelm us with the exuberance of your verbosity!

-- Posted by bob8492 on Sun, Feb 20, 2011, at 5:08 PM

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