Governor Bush, Governor Wise Kick Off First Technology Task Force Meeting

Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida from 1999-2007, and Bob Wise, Governor of West Virginia from 2001-2005, helped kick off the first meeting of Idaho’s Students Come First Technology Task Force.

“The Students Come First Technology Task Force has hit the ground running. Over the past two days, this broad-based group has worked hard, learning from state experts in educational technology and national leaders in education reform,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I am excited for our work going forward as we create the 21st Century Classroom for every Idaho student.”

The Students Come First Technology Task Force is a 39-member task force working to successfully implement the technology components of Idaho’s education reform laws. Specifically, the task force is studying and developing plans for the one-to-one ratio of mobile computing devices in high schools. Once the State Board of Education determines the number of online courses for a graduation requirement, the task force also will develop implementation plans for this requirement, in addition to the necessary professional development for teachers.

Governor Bush and Governor Wise, who traveled to Idaho at their own expense, applauded the State of Idaho for its reform efforts. They jointly lead the bipartisan Digital Learning Now! This initiative advances policies to integrate current and future technological innovations into education to provide all students with a customized, quality education experience.


Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Bob Wise present at the Technology Task Force meeting.

“Imagine if every student in the state of Idaho gained the knowledge to pursue their dreams.  Idaho would lead the nation and the world in education as well as business, innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Jeb Bush.  “The Students Come First plan is an excellent example of taking real, tangible steps toward improving education.  Idaho has the opportunity to pursue the most innovative methods to give every student the opportunity to achieve their God-given learning potential.”
“It is time we stop asking students to power down when they go to school and instead to power up and use their interest in technology and social networking as a new way to learn,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. “Digital learning can provide all students, rural or urban, with access to a number of high-quality subjects that may not be available in their individual schools, including foreign languages and advanced math and science courses. Effective teachers are an invaluable component of digital learning. Imagine delivering high-quality content over the internet to large numbers of students where classroom teachers could then personalize that content to meet individual students’ learning needs. Now that’s what I call a force multiplier.”

During the two-day meeting, the task force also heard presentations from Jeff Coe and Jeremy Davidson of Schoolnet, Dr. Lisa Dawley and Chris Haskell of Boise State University, and Dan Thomander from Cassia Alternative High School.

Each presentation focused on how Idaho teachers can use technology in the classroom to engage students and enhance the learning experience for every child.

All presentations along with PowerPoints and meeting minutes will be posted on the Students Come First website.

Qwest Funding for Innovative Uses of Technology in Education in Idaho Classrooms Exceeds Half-Million Dollars

Qwest, soon to be CenturyLink, announced today that its commitment to fund innovative uses of technology in the classroom, administered through the Idaho State Department of Education, has resulted in a milestone. A recent donation of $75,000 brings the total amount funded to more than a half-million dollars invested over the course of eight years.

“Qwest recognized several years ago the value of teachers having access to technology in the classroom and as a result, have been helping teachers across Idaho raise student achievement through the innovative use of technology,” said Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna. “I am excited to continue this partnership as we work to create the 21st century classroom in every school across our great state.”

Last year’s grant recipients included Lena Whitmore and West Park Elementary in Moscow, where teacher Luella Stark was awarded $9,600 for programmable LEGO robots to teach math, science and engineering at both schools. In addition, Sunnyside Elementary’s Michelle Ball was awarded $6,900 for iPads and accessories to allow students in Idaho Falls to create presentations on planets, constellations and other space topics and Valley High School’s Sam Franklin in Hazelton used $8,900 for advanced graphing calculators.

“It is very rewarding to provide more than a half-million dollars for teachers to develop creative ways to be innovative with technology in the classroom,” said CenturyLink Idaho Vice President and General Manager Jim Schmit. “We are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of Idaho students and teachers through this wonderful program.”


Idaho teachers are invited to apply for the newly announced $75,000 in grants that are available from the Qwest Foundation to fund innovative technology projects. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2012.

~ Melissa M.

Governor Bush, Governor Wise to Present at First Technology Task Force Meeting

Jeb Bush, Governor of Florida from 1999-2007, and Bob Wise, Governor of West Virginia from 2001-2005, will present at the first Students Come First Technology Task Force meeting, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today.

“I am excited to begin the important work of the Technology Task Force next week, and we are pleased former Governors Bush and Wise can help kick off the first meeting,” Superintendent Luna said.  “Both of these Governors showed great leadership in improving their state’s public education systems in many ways, including the expansion of advanced technology and virtual learning.  As the task force works to reform every Idaho classroom into a 21st Century Classroom, I hope we can learn from the experience of Florida, West Virginia and other states and districts across the country.”

Governor Bush and Governor Wise jointly lead the bipartisan Digital Learning Now!  This initiative advances policies to integrate current and future technological innovations into education to provide all students with a customized, quality education experience.

Under Senate Bill 1184, Superintendent Luna is chairing the 39-member task force as it works to successfully implement the technology components of Idaho’s education reform laws, known as Students Come First.  Specifically, the legislation calls on the task force to study and develop plans for the one-to-one ratio of mobile computing devices in high schools. Once the State Board of Education determines the number of online courses for a graduation requirement, the task force also will develop implementation plans for the requirement, in addition to the necessary professional development for teachers and other topics determined by the task force chairman.

The first task force meeting will be held June 13-14, 2011 in the Senate Auditorium at the Idaho Statehouse.
Governor Bush and Governor Wise will present at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14.  The meeting will be open to the public and streamed live online via Idaho Public Television’s Legislature Live.  

The first meeting will include presentations from other experts in education and technology at national, state, and local levels including Jeff Coe and Jeremy Davidson from Schoolnet; Dr. Lisa Dawley and Chris Haskell with Boise State University; and Dan Thomander from Cassia Alternative High School.

See the full agenda of the first Students Come First Technology Task Force meeting and learn more about the task force online.