Thursday, December 20, 2012

NORTH IDAHO CLASS WINS IDAHO MATH CUP

A 5th grade class in Rathdrum has been crowned the Idaho Math Cup Champions in 2012 for solving more than 30,000 complex math problems in just one month.

Deanna Watkins’s enrichment class of 17 students at Twin Lakes Elementary School will be awarded in a special assembly at 10:30 a.m. PT on Friday. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, representatives of Think Through Math, and officials from the Lakeland School District will attend the assembly to hand out awards and congratulate students for their hard work. 

“Congratulations to Mrs. Watkins’s class at Twin Lakes Elementary School for taking home the Idaho Math Cup this year! I am so proud of the more than 30,000 students across Idaho who worked hard at school and at home, solving complex math problems during this month-long competition,” said Superintendent Luna. “The Idaho Math Cup is a great way for Idaho students to have fun with mathematics, stay engaged in the classroom, and improve their academic achievement.”

Through the Idaho Math Initiative, the state has contracted with Think Through Math, a web-based, interactive tutoring program, to provide supplemental mathematics to students in grades 3-12 both in the classroom and outside the school day. Think Through Math has an incentive program built in so as students solve more math problems, they earn points and can win prizes or turn their points into donations for charity.

During the month of the November, Idaho hosts the annual Idaho Math Cup competition, where students in 280 schools are encouraged to “do” more math while having fun at the same time. More than 30,000 Idaho students in 1,600 classrooms across the state had the opportunity to participate at school, during afterschool programs, and at home in November.

Mrs. Watkins’s class at Twin Lakes Elementary School solved more complex mathematics problems through Think Through Math than any other class in the state during this contest. Her students completed 1,644 math lessons, consisting of more than 30,000 problems! They spent more than 500 hours solving these math problems. Of those, about 200 hours were spent solving problems at home in the evenings or on the weekends.

“Third time’s a charm,” Watkins said. “My math class was 6th place in 2010, 4th place in 2011, and now finally, Idaho State Math Cup Champs! These kids have worked really hard especially at nights and on weekends. I am really proud of their efforts and persistence. This is a great bunch of kids, and I am really happy for them. Being called a ‘State Champ’ in any area is quite an accomplishment and happens very rarely for most people. These kids are only 10 and 11 and have reached a goal some never attain in a lifetime. I am very proud to be their teacher.”

As the state champion, Mrs. Watkins’s class will take home the coveted Idaho Math Cup trophy, a champion banner, and each student will receive certificates and t-shirts. Think Through Math also will be recognizing two runner-up classes and three additional award winners – Gurus of Giving, Holiday Heroes and Weekend Warrior – with a special class party prize package.

Mrs. Watkins’s class also will be recognized with the Guru of Giving and Evening/Weekend Warriors awards.

Many other Idaho classrooms competed for the Idaho Math Cup across the state and had great success.
  • The first runner up for the Idaho Math Cup was Sherry Martin’s 6th grade class at Webster Elementary in Lewiston.
  • The second runner up for the Idaho Math Cup was Bill Lavin’s 4th grade class at Pepper Ridge Elementary in Meridian.
  • The Holiday Heroes Award, which is given for extraordinary work during the Thanksgiving break from November 21-25, has been awarded to: Amy Peterson’s Math Group at Owyhee Harbor Elementary, Boise; Linda Ehrsam, 3rd grade ALP Ramsey Elementary, Coeur d’Alene; and Karla Morton, 5th grade Cecil D. Andrus Elementary, Boise.
  • The Gurus of Giving Award, which is given to classes that donated the most points to charitable organizations, has been awarded to: Deanna Watkins’ enrichment class, Twin Lakes, Rathdrum; William Lavin’s class at Pepper Ridge Elementary, Meridian; Jill Diamond’s class at Moscow Junior High, Moscow; Sue Peck’s class at Liberty Elementary, Boise.
  • The Evening/Weekend Warrior Award, which is given to classes that worked the most outside of school hours, has been awarded to: Deanna Watkins’ enrichment class, Twin Lakes, Rathdrum; Sherry Martin’s class at Webster Elementary, Lewiston; William Lavin’s class at Pepper Ridge Elementary, Meridian; Amy Peterson’s Math Group at Owyhee Harbor Elementary, Boise; and Angela Troy’s class at Highlands Elementary, Boise.
Learn more about the Idaho Math Initiative or the Idaho Math Cup.

Monday, December 17, 2012

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA REVIEWS SCHOOL SAFETY, SECURITY MEASURES WITH SCHOOLS

The horrific school shooting in Connecticut has raised many questions about school safety and security. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna sent the following memo to schools and districts this afternoon regarding safety and security measures and the technical assistance the state can offer.
- Melissa M.

Dear Superintendents, Charter School Administrators and Principals,

The recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut is a stark reminder that no community is immune to random acts of violence.  My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Sandy Hook incident and their families; I know yours are too.  As school leaders, it is critical that we do all we can to prevent violence in our schools and are prepared to respond.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time our country and our schools have had to address these safety and security concerns. When I took office in 2007, our nation was still reeling from a tragedy that took place in a rural Amish community in Pennsylvania. Therefore, to gain a better understanding of school vulnerabilities and readiness to respond to crisis, we secured funding from the Idaho Legislature to conduct a statewide school safety and security assessment in Fall 2007. This assessment included surveys, site visits, focus groups and community meetings.  Although some results were concerning (lack of training and resources, inability to control access to buildings, outdated / inoperable security equipment), a very promising and not surprising finding emerged: school personnel and communities are highly supportive and understanding of the need to address security and make safety improvements in our schools. 

Based on the results of the assessment, the state worked closely with local school districts to develop recommendations and improve safety and security for all students. Here are just some of the steps we took at that time:
  • Convened a stakeholder group to establish a crisis response template for Idaho schools based on best practices.
  • Delivered statewide training for school personnel on creating and implementing crisis response plans, threat assessments, de-escalation and student health and safety.
  • Worked with vendors to leverage reduced costs for statewide security equipment purchases for Idaho schools.
  • Partnered with the Bureau of Homeland Security to incorporate County Emergency Coordinators in school crisis response planning efforts.
  • Required updated crisis response for districts receiving funding for Safe and Drug Free Schools.
  • Established safety and security recommendations for new school construction.
In 2008, many of you used these recommendations to take a closer look at your school safety procedures and protocols. Now is a good time to work with your communities and address these processes again. Here are some steps I would encourage you to take today in working with your educators, parents and community members.
  • First, I encourage you to reach out to parents and explain what is in place currently to protect students.
  • Second, please review your current crisis response plan and see if updates need to be made. Call the local first responders in your area and other stakeholders to see if they have feedback on the current plan or suggestions for updates that need to be made. In 2008, the state did form the School Safety and Security Stakeholder Group to design a crisis response plan template and supporting documents for Idaho schools to update their crisis response plans based on best practices. The template and documents are all available online at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/safe_secure/.
  • Third, just as important as being prepared to respond to crisis is implementing proactive measures to prevent a crisis.  The State Department of Education has research and guidance on comprehensive, school-wide prevention programs, training documents, policy examples and case law history on a range of school climate issues such as bullying, harassment, drug and alcohol use, truancy, weapons on campus and suicide prevention, which can be accessed online at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/safe_drugfree/data_resources.htm. In addition to this information, Idaho also has recently activated a suicide prevention hotline, staffed by trained professionals and intended for persons at risk for suicide. Please make sure your staff knows about this resource. More information is available online at http://www.idahosuicideprevention.org/#&panel1-1.   
Incidents like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary quickly bring issues of school safety to the forefront; in the aftermath of a tragedy we never want to look back and ask ourselves, “Could we have done more, or should we have done more?”  In light of this, the Idaho State Department of Education will reconvene the School Safety and Security Stakeholder Group in January 2013 to discuss school safety and security and next steps going forward.

Thank you for your work supporting the success and safety of Idaho students.  My staff and I stand ready to assist your efforts. If you have any questions, please contact Matt McCarter at mamccarter@sde.idaho.gov.

Sincerely,

Tom Luna
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction

IDAHO COMMITS TO IMPROVING EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced today that Idaho and 24 other states have committed to advancing recommendations to dramatically transform educator preparation and entry into the profession.

The new CCSSO report, “Our Responsibility, Our Promise: Transforming Educator Preparation and Entry into the Profession,” was developed by state school chiefs working together to identify key areas they can change to ensure every teacher and principal are ready to prepare our students for college and careers the day they enter the education profession.

As President of CCSSO, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna chaired the state-led task force that prepared the report.

“This is all about improving the craft of teaching. For those who choose teaching as their life’s work and passion, it is incumbent on us to provide the support and opportunities they need to be prepared as soon as they enter the classroom. This all begins with our teacher preparation programs,” Superintendent Luna said. “We recognize that higher expectations for students mean higher expectations for our teachers and principals, so we must do more in our states to ensure the development of effective educators.”

CCSSO unveiled the recommendations on Monday with a panel discussion among Superintendent Luna, Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass, and CCSSO Executive Director Gene Wilhoit. The announcement began with a moment of silence for the victims of the tragic school shooting in Connecticut last week.

The report recommends states focus on licensure, program approval, and data collection, analysis and reporting to improve the way we prepare our educator workforce.

The Task Force is composed of current and former school chiefs with input from the National Governor’s Association and The National Association of State Boards of Education. An expert Advisory Group representing educator preparation, non-traditional programs, teacher unions and other organizations involved in the preparation of teachers and principals provided input on the Task Force’s recommendations.

Superintendent Luna will bring these recommendations to the Idaho State Board of Education for review and approval. The State Board of Education and the deans of the Colleges of Education in Idaho received copies of the preliminary report.

The following are statements of support the Idaho State Department of Education has received for advancing the recommendations in the Our Responsibility, Our Promise report in Idaho:

Dr. Cori Mantle-Bromley, Dean of the University of Idaho College of Education: “The University of Idaho’s College of Education fully supports the Task Force Report and its recommendations. We believe that our program direction aligns with the recommendations and can only be strengthened with increased availability of state data and with rigorous standards for all educator preparation programs. We are eager to participate in the implementation of recommendations.”

Marty Schimpf, Provost of Boise State University: “Boise State fully embraces the principles of the CCSSO Task Force Report, which are to produce teachers who have deep content knowledge and how to teach it and principals with the skills required to lead transformation in their schools. Our new IDoTeach program for preparing the next generation of secondary education math and science teachers is only a first step in renewed efforts at Boise State to reform programs for teacher preparation, and to develop new programs in educational leadership.” 

Diane Boothe, President of the Idaho Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IAACTE): “On behalf of the Idaho public/private deans and directors, we enthusiastically endorse the CCSSO initiatives and recommendations, and look forward to actively participating and facilitating improved teacher preparation in Idaho.”

Learn more about this state-led effort, including a complete list of the members of the Task Force and quotes of support from outside organizations.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WINDOW NOW OPEN

The window to complete applications for state scholarships is now open, and students can access the application on the Idaho State Board of Education’s website. The deadline for completing the online application for state scholarships is February 15, 2013

Through the Office of the State Board of Education, the state provides several scholarship opportunities to Idaho students, including:
  • Governor’s Cup Scholarship
  • Robert R. Lee Promise “A”
  • Robert R. Lee Promise “B”
  • Opportunity Scholarship
  • Tschudy Family Scholarship
“Financial aid opens the door to postsecondary education for many Idaho students,” said Jessica Piper, Scholarship Program Manager for the Idaho State Board of Education. “These programs provide students with an opportunity to help meet the costs of going on after high school and obtaining a higher education degree or certificate.”

Students can also access the application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) via the Board’s Scholarship web page.

Learn more about each scholarship, including eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

IDAHO LEADS THE NATION IN HISPANIC STUDENTS MAKING PROGRESS

The most recent Nation’s Report Card comparing student achievement across the country shows that Idaho’s Hispanic students are making more progress in vocabulary than students in any other state.

The National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, results released today analyzed vocabulary skills tested in 2009 and 2011. The results are important because the tests show students who do well on vocabulary also perform well on reading comprehension.

According to the report released today, all Idaho students in grades 4 and 8 continue to score above the national average.

The scores among Idaho’s Hispanic students in 8th grade increased significantly from 2009 to 2011. Across the country, Hispanic students improved their vocabulary scores in 8th grade and narrowed the achievement gap, but Idaho’s Hispanic students showed the largest gain of 13 percentage points – more than any other state in the nation.

“This is excellent news for the students in our state. We know we have an achievement gap and have been working to eliminate it, not just close it. We still have a lot of work to do, but this is a positive step in the right direction,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. Superintendent Luna currently serves on the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees NAEP testing across the country.

“We are thrilled to see all the hard work that the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and the Idaho Department of Education has done is starting to show closure in the academic achievement gap with our Hispanic students,” said Margie Gonzalez, the Executive Director of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. “We applaud all of the schools who are implementing strong initiatives to address the achievement gaps.”

Here is a summary of how Idaho students compare to students across the country on the NAEP Vocabulary:
  • In Grade 4, all Idaho students scored an average 221 in 2011 compared to 220 in 2009. The national average remained the same at 217.
  • In Grade 4, Idaho Hispanic students scored an average 201 in 2011 compared to 196 in 2009. Nationally, Hispanic students scored 200 in 2011 compared to 198 in 2009.
  • In Grade 8, all Idaho students scored an average 270 in 2011 compared to 268 in 2009. The national average stayed the same at 263.
  • In Grade 8, Idaho Hispanic students scored an average 251 in 2011 compared to 238 in 2009. Nationally, Hispanic students scored 247 in 2011 compared to 245 in 2009.
  • Idaho was one of 11 states to administer NAEP in Grade 12 in 2009. In that year, Idaho students scored 300 on vocabulary skills compared to the national average of 294.
Check out NAEP’s website for more information on scores in Idaho and across the country.

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA ANNOUNCES A COEUR D’ALENE TEACHER IS SELECTED AS IDAHO TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna attended a school assembly at Canfield Middle School in Coeur d’Alene this morning to celebrate the great strides they have made in student achievement.

After all, the school has met Adequate Yearly Progress and is a Four-Star School. But he was there for another reason too…

In the middle of the assembly, Superintendent Luna surprised the faculty, staff and students by naming one of their teachers as the 2013 Idaho Teacher of the Year!

Katie Pemberton, a mathematics teacher at Canfield Middle, has been selected as the 2013 Idaho Teacher of the Year!

Katie Pemberton accepts the $1,000 check from Superintendent Luna.
She has taught for seven years and also works as an adjunct professor at Lewis-Clark State College. In 2011, she won the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Now, as Idaho Teacher of the Year, she will receive $1,000 from the Idaho State Department of Education, an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and go on to represent Idaho as a nominee for the National Teacher of the Year.

“Katie Pemberton will be a great representative of Idaho and the talented teachers we have across Idaho as our state’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year,” Superintendent Luna said. “Despite being young in her career, Pemberton has stood out as an excellent teacher. She doesn’t shy away from working with at-risk students and is always looking for new, innovative strategies to help every child learn. For these reasons and more, Katie Pemberton was selected as Idaho’s Teacher of the Year.”

Nick Lilyquist, Principal of Canfield Middle and one of the few who was privy to the secret before the assembly, called Pemberton the “ultimate educator.”

“She arrives at school every day with a positive attitude and determined to help all her students succeed in mathematics,” he said.

The Idaho Teacher of the Year program began in 1959 and has become one of the most prestigious honors in the state for teachers. The program focuses public attention on excellence in teaching that has a real impact on the students of Idaho.

Every year, school districts and charter schools across Idaho have the opportunity to nominate one teacher for the Idaho Teacher of the Year. A state selection committee representing teachers, education leaders, parents and legislators from across the state select the Idaho Teacher of the Year from among the nominations.

Pemberton was selected as the Coeur d’Alene School District Teacher of the Year before becoming Idaho’s Teacher of the Year.

In her application, Pemberton said as Idaho’s Teacher of the Year, she would focus on increasing the use of technology in the classroom to improve student achievement and working to build more respect for the teaching profession by encouraging more ambitious individuals to go into teaching.

“This is the most amazing profession,” Pemberton said as she accepted the award. She looked at her students and continued, “You inspire me each and every day. It’s an honor to collaborate with my colleagues. We work with other teachers throughout Coeur d'Alene and the state to bring new and innovative ideas to our students.”

After the assembly, she went right back to her classroom and started teaching.

Katie Pemberton invited Superintendent Luna to sit in on her classroom after the schoolwide assembly announcing her as the 2013 Idaho Teacher of the Year.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

LEWISTON STUDENT WINS HOLIDAY CARD CONTEST

Benicio Avila, a second-grade student at Orchards Elementary School in Lewiston, has won the 2012 Holiday Card Contest, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today.

“Congratulations to Benicio Avila for demonstrating such amazing talent at such a young age,” Superintendent Luna said. “Idaho’s annual Holiday Card Contest is a great way to celebrate the importance of arts in education and showcase the great talent of Idaho’s students.” 
Benicio Avila's Winning Design
Benicio, 8, depicted a beautiful scene of birch trees on a winter night. His artwork will be featured on the State Department of Education’s holiday greeting card this year, which is sent to schools, districts and others across the state. He also will receive a certificate and copies of the greeting card to share with his friends and family members.

“We are so proud of Benicio Avila for being selected as the statewide holiday art contest winner,” said Joy Rapp, Superintendent of the Lewiston School District. “His artwork is unique, and he has already developed his own style. His card is an amazing example of art work as a creative form of expression.”

Superintendent Luna also awarded the following grade-level winners across the state:
  • Kindergarten: Calvin Whitecotton, Bovill Elementary, Whitepine School District
  • 1st Grade: Hanna Shepard, Centennial Elementary, Lewiston School District
  • 2nd Grade: Benicio Avila, Orchards Elementary, Lewiston School District (also the Grand Prize Winner)
  • 3rd Grade: Carman Stricklin, Bovill Elementary, Whitepine School District
  • 4th Grade: Renae McGarry, Whitman Elementary, Lewiston School District
  • 5th Grade: Savannah Robinson, Fernan Elementary, Coeur d’Alene School District
  • 6th Grade: Daphne Buckland, Genesee School District
Congratulations to all the winners!  Each student will receive a certificate of recognition. The winning entries are posted online at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/media_center/.

Monday, November 19, 2012

STATE BOARD REPEALS ONLINE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

The State Board of Education today repealed the pending rule that required students graduating in 2016 to take two online courses to graduate from high school. The requirement would have been in effect for the Class of 2016.

With Idaho voters rejecting Proposition 3 in the recent election, the Board decided the online requirement should be repealed and future requirements should be discussed as part of ongoing education reform efforts. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna made the motion.

In making the motion, Superintendent Luna said that while overturning Proposition 3 on November 6 did not in and of itself remove the online graduation requirement, the public perception was that it had since it was a part of the ballot language. Therefore, Superintendent Luna said it would be proper for the State Board to remove the graduation requirement today.

As part of the discussion over the motion, Superintendent Luna and all State Board members said they remain committed to continuing conversations about digital learning as part of high school graduation requirements in the future.

“The voters sent the education system a clear message that all stakeholders must be involved in developing and implementing reform,” said State Board President Ken Edmunds. “The Board is committed to ensuring that students have the skills they need to succeed when they graduate from high school. Knowing how to learn effectively in an online environment is a critical skill, and the Board looks forward to the opportunity to revisit this issue with stakeholders.”

Superintendent Luna said: “There is a need to make sure every student graduates from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education and the workforce, which includes the skills to learn and work in a digital environment. After the vote on November 6, we will need to come at this with a different process and through a different approach.”

The Board also approved repeal of the rule regarding Fractional Average Daily Attendance (ADA), which was rendered null and void with the rejection of Proposition 3. The rule provided that ADA be calculated based on time spent in various programs or online courses and created a basis for fractional ADA calculations among multiple providers.

Due to the rejection of Proposition 1, the State Department of Education requested that the Board repeal the pending rule to incorporate parent and principal input as part of teacher evaluations.  The Board approved repeal of this pending rule. School personnel evaluation procedures are already established in Administrative Rule and amendments may be brought forward in the future.

To see the full agenda from today’s special meeting, visit the State Board of Education’s website

Thursday, November 15, 2012

EXCERPTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT LUNA'S DISCUSSION WITH REPORTERS MONDAY

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna hosted a reporter roundtable on Monday, November 12, 2012 to discuss the November 6 election and education going forward. Here are excerpts from his conversation with reporters:

Q: It’s been six days now. What is your assessment of the next step? What reforms might you look at with the Legislature?
Supt Luna: I think it’s important that education reform doesn’t stop. We just had a 22-month discussion about education in Idaho at a level of detail that we’ve never had before, and I think that that, if anything, has been very productive. People around the water cooler and the dinner table have had conversations about education reform, so I think the last thing that anyone wants to see is an end to education reform in Idaho. I think it’s critical that we work together and identify parts of the reform legislation that have support from all legislative stakeholders—ones that are easy to move forward in this next legislative session. What those are I don’t know just yet. I think you heard during the campaign that there were parts of these laws that were agreeable to both sides, but there were also parts that were disagreeable obviously to the “Vote No” campaign and to the electorate. Again, I think that we have to take advantage of the conversation we have had over the last two years in Idaho. We need to continue that conversation, and we need to make sure that conversation leads to meaningful reform in our schools.

Q: The “Vote No” campaign has said that it is willing to reach out and open a dialogue with you and other members of your administration. Has that happened?
Supt Luna: Yes, I’ve had a number of meetings with stakeholders. … There have been other conversations already with stakeholders in person and over the phone with the IEA (Idaho Education Association). We will sit down and meet with them. We did before, and we will continue to do that going forward. It’s important that we do that in a collaborative way, and we will.

Q: When you say that opponents focused on one or two things, are you suggesting that because of the campaign that was run, voters didn’t necessarily understand…?
Supt Luna: No, the same people who voted down these laws elected me to this position twice. So, I can’t criticize them for turning down these laws and then congratulate them for making the right choice when they elected me. I have full confidence in Idahoans educating themselves and then making a decision based on the information that they’ve gathered. … What I am saying is that if we knew this was going to a referendum, then maybe rather than three bills there should have been a couple dozen bills, and we should have treated each of these things separately so they could have been weighed on their own merits. And maybe that’s the process going forward. I don’t know because those conversations are still happening.

Q: I think we all know that the Students Come First laws, however affectionately or otherwise, were labeled the “Luna Laws.” With all due respect, you don’t introduce legislation into the legislature. You don’t vote on anything in the legislature. You don’t sign anything into law. I think more realistically they were as much the “Otter Laws” as they were anything. With that said, looking forward, have you communicated with the Governor? Where is Governor Otter in terms of looking forward in education?
Supt Luna: I’ve had a number of conversations with the Governor, and we both agree that we need to take advantage of this opportunity that has presented itself—this conversation that has been had about education reform. I never ran into one person who said they were voting “no” because they didn’t think we should reform our schools. They had specific issues with certain parts of the law. I ran into a lot of people who were splitting their votes. I ran into a lot of people who said, “I like this about Proposition 1, but I struggle with this part.” So, I didn’t hear from anyone who said, “Let’s go back to the system we had before.” We’ll get everybody around the table, have conversations to identify the things that we all agree on that were in the different propositions, move forward together with legislation that would restore those parts of the bill, and then work together to find common ground on areas where we do not agree.

Q: Do you anticipate the Governor being involved in that process?
Supt Luna: Yes, I do. I think the Governor will continue to play a lead role. If you look at other states that have gone through this process, it’s similar to what we are going through in Idaho. There are steps forward. There are bumps in the road. There are times when you have to have a process check and a reality check. But every one of those states has had a governor, whether it’s Tim Pawlenty or Jeb Bush, who continued to provide the leadership and really the expectation that we have to do these things and then used that pulpit to encourage the citizens and the legislature to respond.

Q: Do you think there is something to be learned from the outcome of the election in Washington and I think it was Georgia, where you had a very red, Republican-leaning state that went overwhelmingly for Mitt Romney in Georgia and a very blue-leaning state that went overwhelmingly for Barack Obama in Washington both vote to approve the expansion of charter schools. There seems to be a general appreciation and approval for charter school expansion, but reforming conventional schools has been uncomfortable for people. Is there any lesson in that, as far as you’re concerned?
Supt Luna: I think you’ll see that education reform across the country is not just limited to red states. It’s happening in red states and blue states. It’s happening in inner cities and rural areas. The opposition to reform is the same, but those who support reform are Democrats, Republicans, etc. I believe education reform is a bipartisan effort, and it will continue to be.

Q: Some folks have suggested that emotions were perhaps so raw on both sides that finding some agreement during the 2013 session might be a little bit premature, so this should go to some kind of interim committee of the legislature over the summer.
Supt Luna: Well, I can name you any number of blue-ribbon committees and interim committees that have been tasked to deal with very, very important issues that require real leadership to deal with, and lacking leadership, then you appoint a blue-ribbon committee or an interim committee to kick the can down the road. I agree with you that this has been a very emotional time, but I would remind everybody that it has been very emotional for the adults. Our kids and our students have to have an education system that is moving forward to meet their needs. Our state has a goal that by the year 2020, 60% of our population will have some kind of postsecondary degree or certificate. Today that number is 34%. So, if we’re thinking about 2020, those students are 8th graders today. We are not going to hit that goal if we continue with a system that achieves only 34%.

So we can’t wait. Our kids can’t wait for adults to figure this out. So we are going to have to set aside our emotions and our egos and, as adults, work together to do what is best for our children. Waiting is not what’s best for our children. We are not going to go to the legislature and propose legislation that is so controversial that it’s going to drive the same kind of emotion that we have seen the last couple of years, but there are things that we have all agreed are good parts of the Students Come First legislation, and there is no reason that we wouldn’t move forward to bring those back.

Q: There are some people who perceive education reform as nothing more than an effort to try and limit the power of the teachers’ union or somehow organized labor. How would you respond to that?
Supt Luna: Again, this is hindsight. You’re asking me to play Monday-morning quarterback. All I can do is give you the history, and then you can decide what to do with it. When we were putting together education reform, what we referred to as Students Come First, there were some who thought that what you found in Proposition 1 was enough. I never believed that just dealing with tenure, dealing with collective bargaining, dealing with open negotiations, eliminating seniority. Those are an important part of education reform, but just Proposition 1 in and of itself is not going to get the job done. It’s not the silver bullet. You have reform the way you compensate teachers. You also have to reform the way that we deliver education, create opportunities through the proper use of technology, give all students equal opportunity for college credit, etc.

Q: You said that you will not be bringing forth legislation this session that will drive the kind of emotions that we saw over the Students Come First package. Is there anything in this package that you’re going to stay away from?
Supt Luna: We’ll hear from the stakeholders. We’ll come together and identify what we all agree on, and then we’ll move forward. So it would be premature for me to assume that I know what is agreeable to all of the different stakeholders.

Q: Were you surprised when, just before the election, as the word went out to school districts as to who would and wouldn’t get bonuses under the plan, the concern was expressed in many areas of the state that the schools whose teachers didn’t get bonuses were perhaps the ones who were dealing with more disadvantaged kids. Was there a flaw in this plan?
Supt Luna: Well, it wasn’t a perfect plan. The only way it’s going to be perfected is if we can implement it, learn from it, adjust it, and keep going forward. If we never start, we’re never going to be able to identify the areas that need to change and be improved.

Q: Do you anticipate having a package by the start of the legislative session, or will it emerge sometime within the session?
Supt Luna: I don’t know. What I do know is that we’re going to lead. I think people are elected to lead, and sometimes that means that you get into areas that maybe aren’t all that popular, but it’s very easy to lead when things are going well. Everybody wants to lead a parade when everybody likes the music. The fact is, if you’re going to bring about education reform that is good for students, somebody has to lead. That’s what I’m attempting to do. That’s what this legislation was about. We’re going to continue. This is a bump in the road, but we’re going to continue to work toward bringing about the reform that our schools have to have.

Q: You said that voters understood what they were voting on, but you keep saying things like, “The voters didn’t understand.”
Supt Luna: No. So there’s two separate things. Students Come First has many, many components in it, and it’s not reasonable for me to expect that voters would know every piece that was in the law. But when they do become aware of the fact that students can earn college credit, I think that’s something that they all support that would be easy to go forward to the legislature with. But, I’m not claiming that the electorate was deceived or uneducated or that they didn’t know what they are doing because, like I said, the same people elected me and re-elected me. So if they were wise in the use of their vote when they elected me, I’m assuming they used that same wisdom when they passed judgment on these laws. 

Q: You had teachers during the whole election process saying, “We weren’t involved.” What do you say to that? Were they not involved? How do we correct that going forward?
Supt Luna: Well, I’ll address going forward. We’ve had the ‘tis and ‘taint over whether there was involvement or enough involvement, but, going forward, I think you’ll find that all our meetings with all stakeholders will be very transparent and open meetings so the press can see who was actually there and not there, what comments were made, who was involved and who wasn’t, so that then we no longer have this disagreement as to whether there was involvement or enough involvement.

Q: You’ve talked about those public meetings. Do you think that by having all sides in a public meeting, ground floor up, going forward that both sides will be more willing to compromise on things that they maybe hold sacred or that they weren’t willing to give up before?
Supt Luna: Yes, and we are going to stream these live on the web so parents and everyone can participate. We have learned through the past two years as all the negotiations at the local level have happened in open, public meetings that what you have described is true. The conversations are more open and more civil and more productive, and what happens in the meeting is very transparent and neither side can claim something that isn’t accurate. People will be able to judge for themselves as to whether one group or another group had equal access and equal opportunity to participate. So we’ll make it a very transparent process.

Q: Do you think that this outcome has affected your effectiveness as a leader, or will the test of that be seen in the future?
Supt Luna: I think we’ll know more going forward, but I will tell you that I am committed, as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, to make sure that all 280,000 students have equal access and opportunity to succeed in the 21st Century. If there has to be a loser, if this has to be a win-lose, then let it be me. Not the students, not public education, not the teachers. If the press and the public have to blame somebody and identify a loser in this process, then it’s me. But public education, our students, our teachers, our parents, our taxpayers cannot take the brunt of what happened last Tuesday. If people have to find somebody to blame, let them blame me.

Q: You have been very committed to these over the last two years and, as you have indicated, the last 15 years. After last Tuesday’s results, did it ever cross your mind to step down?
Supt Luna: No, I’m not a quitter. I mean, if I was a quitter, there have been many times in my life when I would have folded up the tent and gone home. I have had many setbacks, but never defeats. So, I am not a quitter. I willingly went into this process. I left the private sector to get into education. I have never run for any other public office that wasn’t involved in education, and I’m still committed to making this work. In the end, this is about the future of the children. Not my future, not your future, not really about the adults' future in Idaho. It’s about the future of the children, and that’s what I’ll continue to focus on. And I’m confident that adults can figure this out, and we’ll do what’s best for our children. I think Winston Churchill said that Americans always do the right thing after they’ve tried everything else. I am convinced we will do the right thing. If that means I have to do things differently, then so be it. But we will do the right things. 


The full audio from the reporter roundtable is available online.

ALBERTSON FOUNDATION FUNDS KHAN ACADEMY PILOT PROJECT SEEKING TO REVOLUTIONIZE LEARNING IN IDAHO

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation announced it will provide funding for schools to pilot the use of Khan Academy. Here is the text of their full news release:

Idaho could revolutionize how students in this small, rural state learn math if a pilot project involving the world’s leader in free, online learning is a success. The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, a private family foundation based in Boise, Idaho, will provide funding to cultivate usage of Khan Academy in schools and classrooms across the state.

“What a typical math classroom looks like has not changed for over 100 years,” says Khan Academy founder Sal Khan. “What is powerful about the Khan Academy pilots in Idaho is that they are showing that the model can be rethought using technology and that, ironically, the technology makes the classrooms more human for the teachers and students. It has also made the teachers that much more valuable."

According to Khan Academy’s Maureen Suhendra, over 20,000 classrooms all over the world are currently using the site. “But this is the first time Khan Academy is partnering to tackle the math education of an entire state,” says Suhendra.

“The data shows that the majority of Idaho students struggle with math,” says Jamie MacMillan, executive director of the Albertson Foundation. “We think accelerating the use of Khan Academy in Idaho classrooms will not only bolster student math achievement, it may also redefine what learning can and should look like in our state. Idaho math educators have expressed an incredible amount of enthusiasm for this concept and we are excited to see the results.”

Classrooms or schools from across Idaho who respond to a request for proposal will be selected to receive support from Khan Academy and grants for purchasing technology devices. A select group of schools will collaborate directly with Khan Academy staff and receive funding for one-to-one technology devices for students.

A project team from Northwest Nazarene University’s College of Education in Nampa, Idaho, will manage and facilitate the project.

“Traditional math classes are often associated with lecture, practice, homework and tests,” says Paula Kellerer, Dean of NNU’s College of Education. “Some students do well, others need more time to master key concepts. Khan Academy equips teachers with videos, exercises, incentives and a data dashboard to monitor student progress. The website can assist teachers in extending learning for those students who are ready and to reframe concepts for those students who need more time or practice with essential content.”

Members of Khan Academy’s school implementation team were in Idaho in October to conduct a two-day workshop sponsored for free by the Albertson Foundation in partnership with NNU. More than 225 math educators from public, private and after school programs from around the state participated.

“We were incredibly impressed with the group of math educators we met during the two-day workshop,” says Suhendra. “In the first hour of the workshop, the high energy the teachers and administrators brought was palpable, and we were amazed at how it never seemed to stop. We saw educators who had never met each other come together to brainstorm, problem-solve, and write up tactical action plans for meeting the needs of all students. It was an inspiring event, and we are excited to see what happens as the momentum continues.”

According to the 2011 Nation’s Report Card, only 39% of Idaho fourth graders and 37% of eighth graders were proficient or advanced in math. In 2011, 4th graders in several neighboring states ranked higher in the proficient or advanced categories in Washington (45%), Wyoming (43%), Montana (45%) and Colorado (47%).

“We think it is important that our students have high quality academic choices no matter where they live. By providing math educators with the technology and the training to effectively use Khan Academy, they’ll be able to deliver blended learning that is world-class, personalized and mastery-based,” says MacMillan. “What is really exciting is that student achievement data will tell us very quickly how well this approach is working. ”

The Albertson Foundation is inviting traditional, alternative, private, charter and after school programs to respond to an online request for proposal. Grant winners will be announced February 28, and full implementation of the pilots will start in the fall of 2013.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA ANNOUNCES NEARLY 500 SCHOOLS QUALIFY FOR PERFORMANCE BONUSES



Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today that teachers who earned pay-for-performance bonuses in 499 schools across Idaho will receive these bonuses, even though Proposition 2 has been repealed.

In a written opinion requested by Superintendent Luna, the Attorney General’s office held that bonuses were earned during the 2011-2012 school year and paying the bonuses is a “ministerial” duty. Proposition 2, which created a statewide pay-for-performance program, was repealed by Idaho voters on November 6.

“This is great news for Idaho teachers who have worked hard to earn these bonuses and deserve to receive them,” said Superintendent Luna. “I am pleased districts will be able to distribute this $38 million in bonuses despite the repeal of Proposition 2.”

The state will distribute pay-for-performance funding to Idaho school districts and public charter schools on November 15. Under the law, districts have until December 15 to distribute these bonuses to the Idaho teachers who earned it under the pay-for-performance plan in the 2011-2012 school year. However, some uncertainty had existed on whether or not districts could distribute this bonus money to teachers after the laws are officially repealed from Idaho Code on November 21.

Therefore, Superintendent Luna asked the Attorney General the following question to give school districts clarity: If Proposition 2 is repealed, will local school districts and public charter schools have the legal authority to distribute pay-for-performance bonuses to individual teachers after the November 21 certification of the election?

About eight in 10 Idaho teachers will receive a bonus this year. The average bonus will be about $2,000. School districts across Idaho are set to receive millions in bonuses for teachers. For example, the Boise School District will receive an estimated $4.6 million, Meridian School District an estimated $4.2 million, Twin Falls School District an estimated $998,000, Pocatello School District an estimated $2 million, Idaho Falls School District an estimated $1.2 million, Lewiston School District an estimated $1 million, and Coeur d’Alene School District an estimated $1.7 million.

Under Idaho’s statewide pay-for-performance plan, teachers were awarded bonuses for meeting criteria at the state and local level.

The state goals were based on student performance on the ISAT and took into account both student proficiency and student growth. The state rewarded teachers and other certificated staff in an entire school for reaching goals based on overall excellence (how many students reach proficiency), as well as academic growth (how much progress students show year over year).

Additionally, each local school district set its own local goals based on multiple objective measures of student achievement. These goals vary from district to district and include factors like student attendance, the Idaho Reading Indicator, end-of-course assessments and graduation rates.

Based on the results from the 2011-2012 school year, certificated staff in 499 schools have qualified to receive a bonus. The bonus amounts will vary depending on each school district’s locally developed plan.

The State Department of Education has followed the timeline put in place in 2011 for calculating pay-for-performance bonuses based on state and local student achievement data and distributing the funding for these bonuses in the third state foundation payment on November 15, 2012.

The student achievement portion of pay-for-performance was just one part of Idaho’s statewide pay-for-performance plan. If Proposition 2 had passed, teachers would have been able to earn bonuses for working in hard-to-fill positions and taking on leadership duties next year.

For a full list of schools and districts that are eligible to receive pay-for-performance bonuses and the total amount they are scheduled to receive, please visit http://www.studentscomefirst.org/performance.htm.

Superintendent Luna Hosts Roundtable with Reporters


Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna hosted a reporter roundtable on Monday to answer questions from the media regarding the election on November 6 and education reform in Idaho going forward.

If you missed it, the full audio from the roundtable is now available online.


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE ELECTION



Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna issued the following statement regarding the results of the November 6 election:

“I still believe that Idahoans want better schools through education reform. I still believe that empowering local school boards, phasing out tenure, giving parents input on evaluations, helping students take dual credit, paying teachers for more than just years of experience and amount of education, and making sure every classroom is a 21st Century Classroom are critical if we want an education system that meets the needs of every child. We have now had a 22-month discussion about what this should look like. I understand Idahoans have expressed concerns, yet I do not believe any Idahoan wants to go back to the status quo system we had two years ago. I am as committed as anyone to finding a way to make this happen. We must find a way because our children’s future is at stake.”

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

GET READY FOR THE FOURTH ANNUAL IDAHO MATH CUP


Think Through Math and the state of Idaho will kick off the Fourth Annual Idaho Math Cup on November 1, 2012. Students across the state will be battling to win the title of Idaho Math Cup Champion. Last year’s champion was Ms. Woods class at Birch Elementary. The students used teamwork and showed incredible perseverance to earn this honor.

The winning class this year will receive the coveted Idaho Math Cup trophy and an awards ceremony where each student will receive special recognition, complete with customized certificates and T-shirts. There will also be prizes awarded to the runner-up classes and individual students statewide.

“The Idaho Math Cup is a great way for students to challenge themselves to improve their math skills and become better problem-solvers and critical thinkers,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I am proud to partner with Think Through Math through the Idaho Math Initiative to host this competition each year and bring more of these opportunities into the classroom to help all students achieve in mathematics.”

Tens of thousands of students throughout Idaho will be able to participate at school, during afterschool programs, and at home throughout the contest period. Think Through Math, formerly Apangea Math, will also name other Class Champions that will receive a special classroom party prize package. Also, students are eligible to become Individual Champions that will each receive prizes such as Walmart and Amazon giftcards.

The Idaho Math Champion will be the class from the entire state with the highest average number of points earned during the contest per enrolled student. The Idaho Math Cup Champion will be the individual class with the highest average. Individual student winners will be randomly selected from all students meeting the minimum point thresholds. For complete contest rules and regulations, please visit the Think Through Math website.