Idaho Teacher Says Online Learning Is ‘Higher Level of Learning’

Rick Berrett, a history teacher at South Fremont High School, demonstrated how a blended online course can be high-quality and engaging during the Senate Education Committee hearing today. He made the demonstration via the Idaho Education Network.

Berrett has been a teacher for 30 years. He said online learning is “a higher level of learning” because it teachers not only the course content but also important skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, time management, how to collect and analyze data.

“There is collaboration within the school and outside the school,” Berrett said. “You learn effective communication skills.”

In addition, he said students who participate in online learning master skills they need to go on to postsecondary education, and “they learn skills that are very valuable in the workforce.”

Through the blended learning model he has created, “students have an equal opportunity to be successful,” he told the Senate Education Committee on Thursday. He can individualize lessons for students who struggle as well as for students who excel.

“It is challenging, it’s innovative, and basically the sky is the limit,” Berrett said of his online learning model.

Right now, about 20 percent of the students in his school take this form of learning. “The only thing that is holding us back is computer access. Otherwise, we’d like to do it for all of the U.S. History students.”

South Fremont High School has submitted a letter of interest to participate in the first one-third of high schools that receive laptop devices for all students in Fall 2013. The state will complete a one-to-one ratio of students and staff to devices in every high school by 2015.

~ Melissa M.

174 HIGH SCHOOLS SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE IN FIRST ONE-TO-ONE ROLLOUT

More than 170 high schools representing about 84 percent of Idaho’s high school students signed up to participate in the first one-third of schools receiving laptops in the state’s one-to-one initiative in 2013.

“We are overwhelmed by the support from Idaho’s schools and educators,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “Through the Students Come First laws, we now are on the path to provide equal access and opportunity to all students in Idaho – no matter where they live. It is clear that parents, teachers, school leaders and students are demanding this technology and want it in their classrooms as soon as possible to help raise academic achievement and prepare every student to go on to postsecondary education and the workforce.”

Under the Students Come First reform laws, the state is transforming every classroom into a 21st Century Classroom by investing $9 million a year in state-of-the-art technology in grades K-12 and implementing a one-to-one ratio of students and teachers to laptops in every public high school.

Teachers, principals and other certified staff in every high school will receive laptop devices in Fall 2012 as well as a year of intensive professional development on how to integrate this technology in the classroom curriculum. The state is funding $4 million a year in ongoing professional development.

Based on a recommendation of a statewide technology task force, the state will deploy laptop devices to high schools statewide over the next three years, beginning in Fall 2013. In the 2013-2014 school year, one-third of Idaho’s high schools will be equipped with laptop devices and the necessary software, maintenance, security and support to reach a one-to-one ratio in the school. By 2015, the state will complete this one-to-one ratio in every Idaho high school.

The state will cover the costs of these devices as well as the repair, maintenance, software and security. The state also is working to make every Idaho high school a wireless environment in the next year.

To determine which schools would participate in the first round of deployment, the State Department of Education asked schools to submit a letter of interest by February 17, signed by the district superintendent or school board chair. The Department received 99 letters of interest representing 174 different high schools and nearly 68,000 students statewide. This makes up an estimated 84 percent of Idaho’s high school students, which is far more than the one-third of students the state will be able to deploy to beginning in 2013.

The Department will develop a rubric to determine which schools are most ready to benefit and should participate in the first deployment of one-to-one devices for students in 2013. The Department anticipates selecting schools by the end of the current school year.

To see the full list of schools and districts that signed up to participate, visit http://www.studentscomefirst.org/mobiledevices.htm and click on the “Letters of Interest” list.

State Board Approves Change in Online Course Requirement

The State Board of Education approved a change today to allow more flexibility and local decision making for students graduating in 2016 who will be required to take two online courses. A pending rule will be presented to the legislature in 2013, and if approved, the change will become permanent.

Students entering the 9th grade in the fall of 2012 will still be required to take two online learning credits to graduate from high school, but if the rule is approved, the credits can both be earned through a synchronous or blended class. The previous rule required that at least one of the two credits be earned from an asynchronous online class.

An asynchronous online class is one in which students move at their own pace and at varying times with at least 80 percent of the content delivered through the use of technology. A synchronous class is one in which a student and teacher are online together at a specific time. A blended course can include elements of both synchronous and asynchronous instruction as long as technology is used to deliver at least 50 percent of the course content.

The change allows local districts additional flexibility in helping students earn the two credits required.

To learn more about the Idaho State Board of Education, please visit http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/.

STATE BOARD APPROVES IDAHO’S APPLICATION FOR NEW ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM

The Idaho State Board of Education today voted unanimously to approve Idaho’s move toward a new system of increased accountability, which focuses on academic growth.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and staff at the Idaho State Department of Education worked with educational stakeholders to create a new accountability plan as part of the state’s application for more flexibility under No Child Left Behind.

With the State Board’s approval, the Department will now submit its application to the U.S. Department of Education before the deadline on February 21.

“Because of the Students Come First laws Idaho passed last year, we are able to create this new, higher level of accountability that gives local school districts the flexibility they need to make sure every student in Idaho is growing academically every year,” Superintendent Luna said.

Idaho has taken a lead role in building the next generation of accountability systems. By passing the Students Come First reform laws in 2011, 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 (and now current President) of the Council of Chief State School Officers. In June, Superintendent Luna sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, informing him that Idaho would begin 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 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.

While Congress has been considering some pieces of legislation, it has yet to take action on reauthorization.

Superintendent Luna was in Washington, D.C. today testifying before the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee, encouraging them to act on legislation to reauthorize No Child Left Behind in full. He called into the State Board of Education meeting.

With a waiver to certain parts of the No Child Left Behind law, Idaho is able to 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. These laws have positioned Idaho well to implement its new system of increased accountability.

Under the new accountability plan, schools will no longer receive an Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) ranking. Instead, schools will be rated based on a Five-Star scale.

A Five-Star School is performing excellent in key areas – proficiency, academic growth, and postsecondary and career-ready metrics. A One-Star School, on the other hand, is struggling to meet the state’s goals in these areas and will receive additional technical assistance from the state.

Representatives of educational stakeholder groups and members of the public helped to shape Idaho’s new accountability system. The Department held focus groups with parents, legislators, classroom teachers, principals, superintendent and school board trustees in October. The public could read and comment on a draft of the Idaho’s waiver application throughout the month of January.

The Department made about a dozen changes to its application based on this feedback.

Visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/assessment/FederalReq/ to read Idaho’s new accountability plan in full or to see an executive summary.

Superintendent Luna Calls on Congress to Reauthorize ESEA in Testimony Before House Committee

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction and President of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Tom Luna testified Thursday, February 16 before the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on two bills to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The House Education and the Workforce Committee is currently considering proposals introduced by committee Chairman John Kline to reauthorize ESEA, The Student Success Act and the Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act.

In his testimony, Superintendent Luna explicitly called for immediate ESEA reauthorization, and said that “…for the last 10 years, American schools have lived under a law that is akin to the classic Clint Eastwood movie, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. First the good: No Child Left Behind has placed a spotlight on student achievement in America, especially among disadvantaged students, and it has established grade level proficiency as the target for every child.  But while No Child Left Behind has focused America’s schools upon improving learning for every child, it also has many bad parts. Notably, current law doesn’t recognize student growth, so schools have numerous ways to fail but few avenues to demonstrate success.  And now the ugly: because the law has not been reauthorized in a timely manner, its rigid accountability system has become a stumbling block to state and local education reforms.”  

In the absence of federal action, Luna described what he calls the “renaissance” of education reform that states have led in recent years. “More than 30 states last year passed some form of comprehensive education reform legislation. States across the nation are addressing antiquated labor practices, improving student access to technology, engaging in system redesign, adopting clear and high academic standards, and developing data systems that support targeted student interventions and improved program evaluation.”    

Superintendent Luna emphasized the importance of a federal law that promotes state flexibility. “We do not need the federal government to dictate the specific terms of state and local reforms, because we are situated best to develop and implement state, local, and national initiatives that benefit students in our state,” he said, and commended Chairman Kline for offering a bill that “acknowledges and respects that it is state and local leaders who are driving education reform.” He also reiterates CCSSO’s support for added provisions to the bill that will “strengthen the ability of states to deliver on their commitments to stronger accountability systems rooted in the ultimate goal of college and career readiness for all students.”

Please view Superintendent Luna’s prepared remarks, including recommended modifications of the proposals here.

More Teachers Are Choosing to Stay in Idaho

Based on a public records request, the State Department of Education pulled statistics this week on the number of certified teachers in Idaho, including how many have come from out of state, how many are joining the teaching profession, and how many are choosing to leave the teaching profession for the past four years.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Currently, 18,684 individuals are currently certified to teach in Idaho. This is down from 3.7 percent from the 2007-2008 school year when 19,367 individuals were certified.
• But Idaho teachers are not leaving the state to teach elsewhere, as some have surmised. In fact, the number of teachers leaving Idaho to teach in another school or district has declined significantly in recent years. In 2008-2009, 215 teachers left the state to teach at another educational institution. In the 2010-2011 school year, just 48 teachers left the state to teach elsewhere.
• More teachers are choosing to stay in the district in which they currently work as well. In 2007-2008, 510 teachers moved to teach in a new Idaho school district. In 2010-2011, just 82 teachers moved to a new school district in the state of Idaho.
• We have not seen mass layoffs in Idaho school districts, as some predicted. In 2009-2010, districts reported 83 teachers left the profession due to a reduction in force. Eighty-five teachers reported this in 2010-2011.
• We continue to see teachers choose to leave the teaching profession for personal reasons. “Personal reasons” can mean a variety of things, from seeking a new profession to moving out of state with a spouse to deciding to stay at home with children for a few years. In any case, in 2007-2008, 342 teachers reported leaving the profession for personal reasons. In 2010-2011, 697 reported leaving the profession for personal reasons.

We recognize this turnover rate seems high. It is likely a result of the economy; however, we must continue to improve the school system by implementing pay-for-performance for teachers, offering additional professional development and increasing technology tools for teachers and students in the classroom. We want to keep our great teachers in the classroom and attract more of the best and the brightest to teach in Idaho schools.

Based on the above numbers, it is clear that more teachers are actually choosing to stay in Idaho and not leave the state of Idaho. This is positive news, and we will continue our work in this direction.

Superintendent Luna to Testify Before Congress Thursday

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna will testify Thursday before the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on two bills to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The House Education and the Workforce Committee is currently considering legislation to reauthorize ESEA, more commonly referred to as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. 

As Idaho’s State Superintendent and President of the Council of Chief State School Officers, Superintendent Luna has played a critical role in encouraging Congress to reauthorize No Child Left Behind and in shaping reauthorization legislation. He testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in November.

Superintendent Luna will testify before the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee at 10 a.m. ET (8 a.m. MT) on Thursday, February 16 during the Committee’s hearing on the “Student Success Act” and “Encouraging Innovation and Effective Teachers Act,” two bills to reauthorize No Child Left Behind. The hearing will be streamed live online.

Idaho is still applying for a waiver from certain provisions of No Child Left Behind. Until Congress takes action and reauthorizes the full law, the state will use a waiver to implement a new system of increased accountability that uses multiple measures to rate school performance, including academic growth.

Idaho’s waiver application will go before the Idaho State Board of Education on Wednesday and then be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education before February 21.

10 States Receive NCLB Waivers Today; Idaho Will Apply Later This Month

President Obama announced today that 10 states have received waivers from certain provisions of No Child Left Behind today.

The states awarded waivers are: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

These states all applied in the first round in November 2011. Idaho is submitting its waiver application in the second round, due by February 21.

Idaho chose to apply in the second round and use the additional time to work with stakeholder groups on the development of Idaho’s new accountability plan.

Staff from the State Department of Education held focus groups with parents, legislators, teachers, principals, superintendents, and school board members in October. Staff met with representatives of all education stakeholder groups, including the Idaho Education Association, Idaho Association of School Administrators, Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and Idaho Indian Education Committee. The Department also has worked with members of the State Board of Education throughout the process.

In January, the Department published a draft of the state’s waiver application on its website and opened it up for public comment for 21 days.

The state made several changes based on this feedback. The final application is posted online now.

Idaho’s application will go before the State Board of Education for approval on February 15. After that, it will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, prior to the deadline on February 21.

We hope to hear back on Idaho’s waiver application this spring and join the other 10 states in being granted a waiver from certain provisions of No Child Left Behind.

With a waiver, Idaho will 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. These laws have positioned Idaho well to implement its new system of increased accountability.

A waiver will get Idaho out from under the current No Child Left Behind law, which only measures states based on proficiency – or how many students pass the test. Instead, under the new accountability system, Idaho will be able to measure school performance with multiple metrics including academic growth, graduation rates and student participation in advanced opportunities.

Idaho and Indiana Prepare for Math State Showdown

Apangea Math, a web-based adaptive math solution supporting grades 4 – 12, will host an exclusive state-duel motivational contest during the month of February to get students excited to “do” math and encourage them to have fun developing their math skills. Apangea Math will be working with 70,000 kids in both Indiana and Idaho during the math contest.


Apangea Math, the Idaho Department of Education, and the Indiana Department of Education hope to facilitate out-of-school learning; students can take advantage of anytime, anywhere access to the State Showdown to better their math skills. In last year’s contest, Apangea Math saw students work for over 60,000 hours, scoring a combined 15 million points. In the inaugural year, Indiana narrowly beat Idaho. That victory was won when Indiana’s after-school hours on the final night pulled them into the top spot.

The Superintendents of both states--Tom Luna of Idaho and Dr. Tony Bennett of Indiana--have been integral in generating buzz around the showdown. See their video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df_1MUiXaA8&NR=1&feature=endscreen, and take a look at Supt. Luna's message to Idaho students competing in the challenge here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=KrQ_uw6cB1A&feature=endscreen.
As an incentive to learn, Apangea Math will be incorporating motivational prizes during this competition. Overall state competition scoring is based on the top 20 classes (selected by average points per student) in each state plus bonus points. The state with the highest total points will be the 2012 State Showdown Champion and be awarded the coveted traveling trophy. The Most Valuable Class (MVC) will be selected for each state based on highest average lessons passed per student. The MVC will be awarded a ceremony and pizza party with state DOE/SDE, a banner and t-shirts. The next 9 classes in each state will each get a pizza party prize pack. Lastly, there will be Individual Awards to be based on lessons passed during evening/weekend time. These students will be entered to win prizes like $20 gift cards and a chance to win a $100 grand prize as well.

IDAHO SAT® SCHOOL DAY REGISTRATION BEGINS TODAY

Beginning today, high school juniors in Idaho’s public schools can register for the first-ever Idaho SAT School Day, the free, in-school college entrance exam scheduled for April 18. Sponsored by the Idaho State Department of Education and The College Board, a not-for-profit education organization, Idaho SAT School Day is designed to promote college-readiness among all students and to encourage students to start planning for educational opportunities beyond high school. Students who participate in Idaho SAT School Day will also fulfill a key state graduation requirement.

“Providing funding for every junior to take a college entrance exam is a critical piece of Students Come First. Through Idaho SAT School Day, we will help create the 21st Century Classroom and make sure every student is prepared to go on to postsecondary education after high school,” said Tom Luna, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Students can register for Idaho SAT School Day online at http://sat.org/idaho. Registration ends April 4. All Idaho public schools with 11th graders have been sent Idaho SAT School Day vouchers with printed numbers to give to the students to register. Registering is easy. Students only need four things: an e-mail account, a free College Board online account, their EDUID (State ID) number and their Idaho SAT student voucher, available from their school counselor. Every SAT registration includes up to four free score reports that can be sent to colleges and scholarship services. Registering for the SAT also enables students to participate in the College Board’s Student Search Service®, through which students can let colleges, universities and scholarship programs know they are interested in hearing from them. Students participating in the Student Search Service also have the opportunity to receive educational and financial aid information from colleges, universities and scholarship programs.

In 2007, the Legislature approved a new high school graduation requirement for all high school students to complete a college entrance exam by the end of their junior year. During the 2011 session, through the Students Come First laws, lawmakers appropriated $963,500 for students in the class of 2013 to take the SAT at no cost to the students or their families.

The SAT is a curriculum-based college entrance exam that measures the reading, math, and writing skills and knowledge students acquire during high school. The SAT also measures how well students can apply their knowledge, a factor both educators and researchers agree is critically important for success in college and beyond. Idaho conducted a competitive bid process before selecting the SAT. Reviewers selected the SAT because of its comprehensive tools for teachers and students, including a free online preparation course for students. The SAT also provides fast score reporting for students and access to online score reports.

Research has shown that taking a rigorous curriculum in high school is the best way to prepare for college, and for the SAT. To help Idaho students familiarize themselves with the SAT and prepare for Idaho SAT School Day, the Idaho State Department of Education and the College Board are providing all public school juniors with free access to The Official SAT Online Course™. Additional free and low-cost SAT practice tools and resources, including a free, full-length practice test and The Official SAT Question of the Day™ are available at http://sat.collegeboard.org/.

Superintendent Luna Listens to Public Testimony on Budget Today

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna attended most of the public hearings held by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee today.

Hundreds of Idahoans turned out to voice their opinion on the state’s budget. The vast majority testified about Medicaid and Health and Welfare. Four people testified about public education.

In the remarks about education, the testimony varied. Penni Cyr, the President of the Idaho Education Association, said she was glad Superintendent Luna’s budget proposal offsets any reduction in salary-based apportionment for teachers and administrators next year. She would like to see these offsets continue in future fiscal years.

Briana LeClaire of the Idaho Freedom Foundation asked the Legislature to expand choice in Idaho’s education system.

“Thank you to everyone who came out to testify and voice their opinion today,” Superintendent Luna said. "This is an important part of the republic we live in where everyone has not just the privilege but the right to be heard.”

Indiana Superintendent Praises Students Come First Reforms

Tony Bennett, the State Superintendent of Indiana, was in Boise today speaking with families from across Idaho about education reform and expanding choice in public education.

Last year, Indiana also passed comprehensive education reform laws. Some of them were similar to what was passed here in Idaho through Students Come First.

The Idaho Coalition of Charter School Families invited Dr. Bennett to speak at a rally on the Statehouse steps to promote the lifting of the cap on public charter schools in Idaho.

Currently, under Idaho law, only six new charter schools can open per year. The Coalition, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, the Idaho State Board of Education, the Idaho Public Charter School Commission, several legislators and others support lifting the cap.

Right now, Idaho has 43 public charter schools statewide and about 8,000 students on a waiting list to attend a public charter school. 

In his remarks to the crowd of hundreds of students, parents and legislators, Dr. Bennett recognized Idaho as a leader in reform across the country.

“When it comes to education reform, the I’s have it. And that is Idaho and Indiana,” Dr. Bennett said. “There are very few, if any, superintendents in the United States who have done for the children of their state what Tom Luna has done for the children of your state.

“I applaud the fact that Idaho is among the nation’s leaders in recognizing and rewarding great teaching because there is nothing more important in the life of a child, besides that child’s parents, than an inspired and an inspiring teacher,” Bennett continued. “To all our teachers today who are here, thank you for doing great work.”

IDAHO CELEBRATES DIGITAL LEARNING DAY

February 1 is Digital Learning Day in Idaho and across the country. The Idaho State Department of Education, in partnership with the Alliance for Excellent Education, is celebrating innovative teaching across Idaho and highlighting practices that make learning more personalized and engaging for students.

“Digital learning is a critical piece of the 21st Century Classroom. As we have expanded access to digital learning in the classroom through Students Come First, teachers now can individualize instruction for all students and make sure ensure every child is on a path to graduate from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education or the workforce,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter declared February 1, 2012 as Digital Learning Day in Idaho.

Across the country, 37 states are participating in Digital Learning Day in some way. On this day and throughout the year, the state will work with Idaho teachers and parents to explore how digital learning can provide all students with opportunities to build the skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education, a career, and throughout life.

Through the passage of Students Come First education reform laws, Idaho is providing students and families with more choices than ever in public education. The state has expanded digital learning opportunities in the classroom, such as access to digital content, interactive technologies, and the Idaho Education Network.

All education stakeholders – districts, schools, teachers, students, librarians, parents, and business and community partners –are encouraged to register to participate in Digital Learning Day activities at http://www.digitallearningday.org/.

By signing up now, participating schools and teachers will have access to targeted toolkits outlining ideas and ways to plan their Digital Learning Day celebration, as well as updates, informational videos, webinars, and other resources.

As the host of Digital Learning Day in Idaho, Governor Otter, Superintendent Luna and the staff at the State Department of Education will honor educators who are using innovation to make a difference for students.

Idaho will continue to reach out and highlight resources that support the goals of and participation in Digital Learning Day and encourages the sharing of ideas, creative lessons, and resources with others across the state and country with several opportunities.

Here is a list of opportunities for students and teachers:

• The State Department of Education is excited to announce the launch of a yearlong statewide lesson plan award to showcase innovative practices in the classroom. The Department will award more than $108,000 in gift certificates over the course of a year from March until February of next year to teachers who develop exemplary lesson plans across all academic subjects and grades. The best examples will be showcased in the statewide instructional management system, known as Schoolnet, which provides lesson planning tools and access to Idaho’s content standards online. More information on this contest is available online at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/digitalLearning/.

• In addition, the Department is distributing $6,000 in lesson plan awards specifically for visual arts teachers who create lessons aligned with Idaho content standards that infuse technology and student art work. These will be displayed at the State Department of Education Art Gallery at artsonia.com. Superintendent Luna will be giving a special Superintendent’s Award for exemplary student art. More information will be announced by the end of February 2012 regarding this program.

• The Department will host an Instructional Technology Showcase. Schools, libraries, community programs, and classrooms are invited to showcase how they are using digital media and lessons to improve teaching and learning. The Department is looking for ideas and exemplars to display on the Department website in the near future. To learn more, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/InstructionalTechnologyShowcaseApplicant.

For more information on these opportunities and Digital Learning Day in Idaho, visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/digitalLearning/.

DEPARTMENT RELEASES 2011 YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY

The Idaho State Department of Education released the results of the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey today, showing improvement in several areas including physical violence.

“We are pleased to see less physical violence among students across Idaho,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “However, we still see some areas of concern including the use of illegal substances and the number of students considering suicide. We must work to solve these problems in our schools and communities. No student is free to learn until they are free from intimidation and fear.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to survey behaviors among youth related to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among both youth and adults and to assess how these risk behaviors change over time.

The YRBS measures behaviors that fall into six behavior categories that result in: (1) unintentional and intentional injuries; (2) tobacco use; (3) alcohol and other drug use; (4) sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancies; (5) dietary behaviors; and (6) physical activity.

The 2011 Idaho YRBS was administered to more than 1,700 students in 48 randomly selected public high schools in Idaho during Spring 2011.

Here are some of the highlights of the 2011 YRBS results in Idaho:

• The percentage of students who were in a physical fight one or more times during the past 12 months decreased from 29 percent in 2009 to 26.4 percent in 2011.

• The percentage of students who were ever hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the past 12 months decreased from 10.6 percent in 2009 to 8.7 percent in 2011.

• The percentage of students who used methamphetamines one or more times during their life remained about flat at 3.2 percent in 2011, compared to 3.1 percent in 2009. This is a significant decrease from 6.4 percent in 2007.

• The percentage of students who seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months increased from 14.2 percent in 2009 to 15.4 percent in 2011.

• The percentage of students who used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days increased from 13.7 percent in 2009 to 18.8 percent in 2011.

To view the full results of the 2011 YRBS, visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/csh/ and click on the “Resources/Data” tab near the bottom of the page.