Court Upholds Students Come First

In a ruling released today, the Students Come First laws were upheld in Idaho district court.

“I am pleased the court rejected the union’s lawsuit to overturn portions of Students Come First. Through this legislation, we phased out tenure, eliminated early retirement bonuses, and returned decision-making back to locally elected school boards. We will continue to move forward in implementing the Students Come First reform efforts that have already begun improving public education for all students across Idaho,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. 

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter said, “The Legislature did the right thing, and now so has Judge Hansen. That’s welcome news. But we recognize this issue and the fate of Students Come First will remain in the courts – including the court of public opinion. Superintendent Luna and I are confident that Idaho citizens understand what’s at stake.  What’s important today is that these necessary and responsible reforms are continuing to move forward.”

The Idaho Education Association filed suit against portions of the Students Come First laws in April, and Judge Timothy Hansen heard the case in August.  Today, he ruled in favor of the Students Come First laws.

The Students Come First laws are historic education reforms that will make every Idaho classroom a 21st Century Classroom, ensure every student has access to a highly effective teacher every year in school, and give parents immediate access to understandable information about their child’s school and district.

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA ANNOUNCES AP SCHOLARS

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today that two Idaho high school students received the College Board State AP Scholar Award based on their outstanding performance on the 2011 Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

Lydia Chen of Boise, who attended Centennial High School, and Garrett Stauffer of Boise, who attended Boise High School, are among 117 students nationwide to receive this honor.

“Congratulations to Lydia and Garrett. I am proud of these Idaho students and excited their hard work has been recognized nationally with such a prestigious award,” Superintendent Luna said. “Taking AP and dual credit courses are great ways for Idaho high school students to challenge themselves academically while getting a head start on postsecondary education. Through Students Come First, we are working to ensure these opportunities are available to every student.”

The College Board confers the AP Scholars distinction on the top male and female students in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP exams, and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP exams taken.

The College Board’s AP program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school and to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP exams. In 2011, 3.4 million exams were taken by nearly 2 million students at over 18,000 high schools. In Idaho last year, students took 8,120 AP exams. Nearly 70 percent of Idaho students received scores of 3 or higher on a five-point scale, which potentially qualifies them for credit, advanced placement or both at colleges and universities worldwide.

Lydia Chen is now studying at Harvard University. Garrett Stauffer is now studying at the University of Idaho.

USDA Leader to Join 3 Idaho Elementary Schools to Present National Recognition Award in the HealthierUS School Challenge

On Thursday and Friday, Sept.29 & 30, 2011, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Deputy Regional Director Jesus Mendoza will join students in Northern Idaho to recognize 3 local schools for receiving USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge Silver awards. Award winning schools are Harrison Elementary School (Harrison, ID), Kootenai School District, Spirit Lake Elementary (Spirit Lake, ID), Lakeland School District and A.B. McDonald Elementary School (Moscow, Idaho), Moscow School District. See event details below.

The challenge is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. Mendoza will also join students for activities including a school assembly, garden tour, student nutrition and physical education demonstrations.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service oversees the administration of 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the child nutrition programs. Improving child nutrition is also a focal point of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that was signed in to law by President Obama in December 2010. This legislation authorizes USDA’s child nutrition programs, including the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program, which serves nearly 32 million children each day. It will allow USDA, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative. To learn more, visit http://www.letsmove.gov/.

Thursday, September 29, 2011
Harrison Elementary School
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHAT: USDA FNS Deputy Regional Director Jesus Mendoza will join students from Harrison Elementary School to recognize the school for receiving USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge Silver award. Representatives from the Idaho State Department of Education, and local school officials will join Mendoza for lunch with students.

WHERE:

Harrison Elementary School
13030 E. O’Gara Road
Harrison, Idaho 83833
(208) 689-3631

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Friday, September 30, 201l
Spirit Lake Elementary School
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

WHAT: USDA Deputy Regional Director Jesus Mendoza will join students from Spirit Lake Elementary School to recognize the school for receiving USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge Silver award. Representatives from the Idaho State Department of Education and local school district officials will join Mendoza and students for breakfast and school assembly.

WHERE:

Spirit Lake Elementary School
32605 N. 5th Street
Spirit Lake, Idaho 83869
(208) 687-5451

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Friday, September 30, 2011
A.B. McDonald Elementary School
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

WHAT: USDA Deputy Regional Director Jesus Mendoza will join students from Spirit Lake Elementary School to recognize the school for receiving USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge Silver award. Representatives from the Idaho State Department of Education, and local school officials will join Mendoza and students for lunch and a school assembly.

WHERE:

A.B. McDonald Elementary School
2323 East D Street
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208) 892-1123

Why Superintendent Luna Supports NCLB Waiver for Idaho

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna was at the White House this morning as President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan unveiled a new process for states to apply for waivers under the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law.

Superintendent Luna has not only been supportive of this waiver process, but has been instrumental in the process of developing these waivers, providing his feedback to Secretary Duncan directly. Here’s more information on why Superintendent Luna supports Idaho applying for a waiver.

States have led this process.

Idaho and other states took the lead and helped develop the waiver process at the federal level. As President-Elect of the Council of Chief State School Officers, Superintendent Luna worked with state chiefs across the country to create key principles for the next-generation of accountability systems. These principles now serve as the basis for states to apply for a waiver. In addition, Idaho sent a letter to Secretary Duncan in June informing him that our state would move toward a new system of increased accountability based on academic growth. The U.S. Department of Education is now working to help give states the flexibility they need to do this. This is a symbolic shift of power from the federal government back to the states.

It will mean more accountability for Idaho, not less.

The waiver will mean increased accountability for states, not less. To receive a waiver, Idaho must demonstrate higher academic standards, an accountability system based on academic growth, and educator performance evaluations tied at least in part to student academic growth. Idaho has accomplished all of these through the Students Come First education reform laws. Students Come First is ultimate accountability. Through these laws, Idaho adopted higher academic standards, known as the Common Core State Standards. Idaho is implementing a growth model statewide that will be used in calculating pay-for-performance bonuses for teachers and that districts will use in evaluating teachers and administrators each year. Now, Idaho will use the waiver to move toward an accountability system based on academic growth as well.

Academic growth is a better measure of accountability.

Right now, under the current No Child Left Behind law, Idaho schools are only measured based on proficiency – or how many students can pass a test. Superintendent Luna has urged Congress for years to reauthorize No Child Left Behind to allow states to measure academic growth – how students progress academically in a given school year – because it is a better measure of how a school is serving its student population. Growth measures how students who struggle progress as well as how students who are advanced progress during the course of a year. When NCLB was passed in 2001, states did not have the capability to measure growth. Now we do. The NCLB law was supposed to be reauthorized four years ago to include growth, but Congress has not taken action. Without action from Congress, the waiver will give Idaho the flexibility it needs to create a new system of increased accountability based on academic growth.

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA APPLAUDS INCREASED FLEXIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY FOR STATES

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna joined President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the White House today as they unveiled a new process for states to gain more flexibility and increased accountability in education.

Under the plan, Idaho and other states can get a waiver under the federal No Child Left Behind law to create new systems of increased accountability that focus on academic growth and college and career readiness.

“This will not be a waiver from accountability, but it will give the necessary flexibility states need to increase accountability and focus on making sure every student in Idaho is growing academically every year they are in school,” Superintendent Luna said. “I believe this is a symbolic shift of power from the federal government back to the states.”

Idaho has taken a lead role in building the next generation of accountability systems. By passing the Students Come First reform laws, the state has moved toward an education system based on academic growth and better preparing students for the world that awaits them after high school. Superintendent Luna worked with other states to develop key principles for new accountability systems through his role as President-Elect of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

In June, Superintendent Luna sent a letter to Secretary Duncan, informing him that Idaho would also start moving toward a new system of increased accountability since Congress has not reauthorized No Child Left Behind. The new system would include more flexibility for school districts and a new accountability system that measures growth.

Under the current No Child Left Behind law, states can only measure school success based on proficiency – or how many students pass the test. The federal law, which originally passed in 2001, was supposed to be reauthorized four years ago so states could include academic growth, or how much progress a student makes in a given year. However, Congress has not taken action on reauthorization.

Today, the President and Secretary Duncan announced a process for states to request waivers from the current No Child Left Behind law. With a waiver, Idaho can create its new system of increased accountability based on higher standards, academic growth, and improved performance evaluations for educators – all key components of the Students Come First reform laws.

States can begin applying for waivers in November. Superintendent Luna plans to work with the Idaho State Board of Education on Idaho’s application.

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA TO ATTEND WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna will join President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the White House tomorrow as they unveil a new process to give states more flexibility under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Idaho has taken a lead role in moving toward the next generation of accountability systems. In June, Superintendent Luna sent a letter to Secretary Duncan informing him that Idaho would begin moving toward a new system of increased accountability since Congress has not reauthorized No Child Left Behind, giving states more flexibility and a new accountability system that measures growth.

Under the current law, states can only measure school success based on proficiency – or how many students pass the test. No Child Left Behind was supposed to be reauthorized four years ago so states could also measure schools based on academic growth, or how much progress a student makes in a given year. However, Congress has not taken action on reauthorization.

On Friday, the President is expected to announce a new way for states like Idaho to apply for waivers that would allow them to move toward new systems of increased accountability and still comply with the federal No Child Left Behind law. Superintendent Luna plans to work with the Idaho State Board of Education to apply for such a waiver and improve the way the state currently measures academic success in Idaho.

Superintendent Luna will be at the White House at 10 a.m. ET (8 a.m. MT) on Friday, September 23, 2011 as the President and Secretary announce the new No Child Left Behind waiver system for states.

Superintendent Luna will be available to interview with Idaho reporters via phone on Friday, September 23 after the news conference. Please contact Melissa McGrath at mrmcgrath@sde.idaho.gov or (208) 332-6818 to arrange.

Students Can Apply Now for Idaho Science & Aerospace Scholars Program

Idaho’s high school juniors can apply now to take part in Idaho’s exciting Science and Aerospace Scholars Program.

Through this competitive program, students from across Idaho take an engaging online course in space exploration and learn a broad range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills aligned with Idaho’s content standards. Based on their performance in this course, students are then selected to participate in a weeklong, all-expenses-paid, residential Summer Academy at Boise State University and NASA Ames Research Center in California.

“The Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program and Summer Academy give Idaho students the unprecedented opportunity to work directly with experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at NASA and right here in Idaho,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I am excited to partner with NASA, Barbara Morgan, Boise State and others to continue offering this program to our students this year.”

Through this program, 180 high school juniors will take the rigorous online course in space exploration and take part in Capstone Celebrations across the state.  Based on their work in the course, 88 students will then be selected to participate in the Summer Academy that takes place at Boise State and NASA Ames Research Center in California. 

Superintendent Luna worked with astronaut and Boise State Distinguished Educator-in-Residence Barbara Morgan to create this program in 2009 with seed money from the State Department of Education and in-kind donations from partner organizations. Now, the program is funded through a $1.2 million grant from NASA.

If you know of any high school juniors who have a passion for STEM subjects, please urge them to apply for this outstanding program. The application deadline is December 5, 2011.

To apply, visit the ISAS website and download the application and instructions.

Students can learn more about the experience of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Summer Academy in August 2011 by checking out our live blog of this summer’s events.

If you have questions during the application process, please contact Peter Kavouras.

Superintendent Luna Celebrates Academic Success at Two Great Idaho Schools

What a great day to get out and visit schools! 

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna visited two schools in the Treasure Valley today.

First, he stopped at Meridian Technical Charter High School in the Meridian School District.  The school not only focuses on core classes but also offers courses in computer networking, computer programming, electronics and engineering, and media and graphic arts.  Many of the students do internships or get jobs with local companies while still in school.

The school has implemented a one-to-one ratio of students to mobile computing devices (specifically, netbooks) which students use in every subject area from earth science and English to business mathematics and U.S. government.  It was great to talk with students, teachers and principal Chris Housel about the integration of technology in the classroom.

From Meridian, we traveled to the Caldwell School District where Superintendent Luna was invited to speak at Syringa Middle School’s schoolwide assembly.  Students at Syringa Middle have made great academic progress over the past five years.

The number of students reading at grade level has increased from 72% to 92%. Among Hispanic students, the percent reading at grade level has increased from 64% to 90%.

The school has seen the same great results in mathematics.  The number of students scoring at grade level in math has growth from 64% to 82% in five years.  Among Hispanic students, it has increased from 57% on grade level to 78%.

Superintendent Luna spoke at the schoolwide assembly to celebrate the success of Syringa Middle School’s students and teachers.  “Thank you for setting the pace for the rest of the state,” Superintendent Luna said.

Since taking office, Superintendent Luna has visited nearly 100 of the state’s 115 school districts and more than 250 schools statewide.  If you would like Superintendent Luna to visit the school in your community, let us know. Send him an e-mail.

~ Melissa M.

STATE LAGS IN CONNECTIVITY, BUT SCHOOLS ALREADY CONNECTED TO HIGH SPEED

A recent New York Times article highlights the importance of high-speed internet access in today’s world while pointing a critical finger toward Idaho’s distinction as the state with the slowest internet speeds. In the midst of its criticism, however, the article recognizes as a “bright spot” the work the Idaho Education Network (IEN) has done to connect all high schools in the state with high-speed, broadband access. By Fall 2012, all Idaho high schools will not only have this high-speed internet but will also be connected to every other high school, college, and university in the state. The Idaho Education Network not only ensures internet access for our students but will open up a world of educational opportunities for students and the local community.


The article largely focuses on internet access in Idaho’s rural and remote communities, not in Idaho’s schools.

High-speed internet is an increasingly important engine for “education and economic growth.” The article quotes Jonathan Adelstein, administrator of the federal government’s Rural Utilities Service as saying, “This is about our overall competitiveness… without broadband, especially in rural areas, kids might not reach their full potential. And we can’t expect to be competitive in a global economy.” In Idaho, we couldn’t agree more. We have recognized that internet access is critical for our schools and have made improvements in this area. Not only will all high schools be connected through the IEN, but, through the Students Come First reform laws, all schools will be equipped with wireless internet access as well.

Once our schools are equipped with broadband and wireless internet access, the state will ensure they can connect to and take advantage of these resources with technologies such as one-to-one mobile computing devices for every high school student and by making online courses more readily available.

The fact is, while some residents in Idaho may have to wait for greater broadband access in their homes, our students won’t have to. Idaho’s proactive education reforms are working to ensure students receive the best education possible by opening a portal to a world of information and resources while they are in school. That’s why, in a critical article that draws issues of connectivity to our state’s attention, our education system is recognized as having found a solution for our schools and our students. These reforms are timely. Our students deserve, and need, the opportunities they bring.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AWARDS IDAHO SCHOOLS AS NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

Three Idaho schools have been named among the most prestigious in the nation for academic achievement, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today.
Homedale Middle School in Homedale, Southside Elementary School in Cocolalla, and Ponderosa Elementary School in Post Falls all have been awarded as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The Idaho State Department of Education nominated these schools for the National Blue Ribbon School award, which honors public and private schools where students achieve at high levels or where the achievement gap is narrowing.

“I am proud of each of these schools, the teachers, the students, and the parents. Despite challenges they may face, they have put students first and raised academic achievement year after year,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “These schools are examples to their peers across the state and country of what is possible.”

The U.S. Department of Education selected 305 schools across the country to receive the award this year. Each school will receive a $20,000 award to further their work at the school and will be honored at an awards ceremony November 14-15 in Washington, D.C. The Idaho State Department of Education will create a video highlighting each school’s achievements and share their best practices with other schools across Idaho.

Here are highlights of each school and why they received the National Blue Ribbon School Award:

Homedale Middle School, Homedale: Homedale Middle School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for the academic growth students have made in recent years. Student proficiency has increased by 34 percent in reading and by 30 percent in mathematics. Homedale Middle School attributes its success to the culture of high expectations it has created. The school offers opportunities such as robotics, pre-engineering, career explorations, honors English, and advanced mathematics.

Southside Elementary School, Cocolalla: Southside Elementary School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for the academic growth students have made in recent years. Student proficiency has increased by 30 percent in reading and by 7 percent in mathematics. The school attributes its student achievement gains in part to a before-school tutoring program it set up for students who struggle. Because of the school’s remote location, many students arrive at school early, and staff has learned how to utilize this time to best meet student needs.

Ponderosa Elementary School, Post Falls: Ponderosa Elementary School is recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for its continued high performance. At Ponderosa, 98 percent of students are proficient in reading and 94 percent are proficient in mathematics. The school attributes its success to focused professional development, a supportive learning environment, clear student learning targets that are aligned to instruction, and frequent monitoring of student progress through assessments.

Register Now for Charter Start 101 Workshop

The Idaho State Department of Education is hosting a Charter Start 101 workshop for parents, educators and others interested in learning more about what it takes to start a public charter school in Idaho on October 6-7, 2011 in Boise.

Public charters schools are free public schools that are open to all students. A public charter school gives parents the choice of sending their children to a school that uses innovative methods to provide a quality education in a smaller, more responsive learning environment.

This two-day Charter Start 101 workshop will provide technical assistance for all new charter developers and any individual or group interested in a public school conversion. The workshop is designed to support public charter school developers at all stages – from vision to implementation. 

Workshop attendance is now a statutory requirement for all charter developers. This free workshop is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State Department of Education offices in the Barbara Morgan Conference Room, 650 West State Street, 2nd floor, Boise. Registration starts at 8 a.m. All participants will receive a charter start resource guide and certificate.

The deadline to register is Friday, September 30. No late registrants will be accepted. Space is limited so please register now by contacting Lori Howard. 

Learn more about the workshops or Idaho public charter schools online.

STATE BOARD GIVES INITIAL APPROVAL FOR ONLINE LEARNING REQUIREMENT

In a unanimous vote today, the State Board of Education gave initial approval for students in the Class of 2016 to take two credits online in order to graduate from high school. The proposed change will now go out for public comment.


“This is a critical first step in building the 21st Century Classroom and making sure every Idaho student graduates from high school with the skills they need to be successful in postsecondary education and the workforce,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.

The proposed rule is part of the Idaho’s Students Come First reform laws, which were approved by the Idaho Legislature in 2011. Through these laws, the state and local school districts will make every classroom a 21st Century Classroom, ensure every student has access to a highly effective teacher every year in school, and give parents immediate access to understandable information about their child’s school and district.

Under the proposed rule, two of the 46 credits students take to graduate from high school must be taken online. The rule would be in effect for the Class of 2016 (freshmen entering in Fall 2012). At least one of the credits must be asynchronous, meaning an online course in which the majority of communications occur in elapsed time and allow students and teachers to participate according to their own schedule.

With the initial approval from the State Board, the proposed rule now will go out for public comment statewide. Then, it will return to the State Board of Education for a final vote this fall. If the State Board approves it, the rule goes before the Idaho Legislature in January 2012. If approved by the Legislature, the requirement will be in effect for the Class of 2016.

To learn more about the Students Come First reform laws, visit http://www.studentscomefirst.org/. Learn more about the proposed rule for online course requirements on the Idaho State Board of Education website at http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/meetings/board/current_year/09_09_11/index.asp.

STUDENTS COME FIRST TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE TO MEET NEXT WEEK

The Students Come First Technology Task Force will meet September 12-13, 2011 at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live online.

The Task Force meeting will include presentations on the State of Idaho’s purchasing process and the results of a Task Force survey on implementing mobile computing devices.

The Task Force will meet in the Idaho Statehouse Senate Auditorium (WW02) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, September 12 and from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 13. The Task Force’s Executive Committee will meet from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

The full Task Force and subcommittee meetings are open to the public and will be streamed live online via Idaho Legislature Live at http://www.idahoptv.org/leglive/.

To view the full agenda or to learn more about the Students Come First Technology Task Force, visit http://www.studentscomefirst.org/technologytaskforce.htm.

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA REQUESTS 5% INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR

Today, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna requested a $61.7 million (5.1 percent) increase in funding for Idaho’s public schools in the 2012-2013 school year. Each year, the Superintendent must submit a preliminary budget request to the Governor’s Office in early September. He submitted that budget request this morning.

“The Governor and I are encouraged by the recent revenue projections we have seen. Based on what we know today, this is the most responsible budget I can put forward for Idaho’s students,” Superintendent Luna said. “With this budget, we recognize and reward Idaho’s great classroom teachers, and we fully fund Idaho’s pay-for-performance plan and the Students Come First reform measures this year without affecting salary-based apportionment funding or teachers’ base salaries.”

The FY2013 fiscal year will begin July 1, 2012.

After meeting with representatives from each educational stakeholder group in August, Superintendent Luna crafted a public schools budget request for FY2013 that moves Idaho’s education system forward in two important ways. It implements the Students Come First education reforms, and it moves our schools away from dependency on one-time funding.

This preliminary FY2013 Public Schools Budget request includes:

· A 2.38 percent increase in base and minimum salaries. This increase offsets money that was reallocated to fund pay-for-performance, thereby funding Idaho’s $38 million pay-for-performance plan without reducing salary-based apportionment.

· A 2 percent increase in discretionary funding for local school districts.

The budget accommodates these increases by taking the $60 million in additional funding that Idaho schools received in July and making it ongoing in FY2013, replacing any one-time money that had been built into the budget.
“I recognize we are still 10 months away from the beginning of the next fiscal year. Even in the best of economic times, it is difficult to build a budget 10 months in the future. In this economy, it is almost impossible. But I believe we have put together a quality, balanced budget for Idaho’s students and taxpayers,” Superintendent Luna said.