This week is National School Choice Week! The Idaho Charter School Network (ICSN) is an organization of public charter schools, authorizers, businesses, education leaders and individuals in Idaho. ICSN President Allan Millar submitted the following blog post to help us mark National School Choice Week in Idaho!
The Idaho Charter School Network joins with thousands of schools and millions of students across the country to celebrate school choice. We invite educators in Idaho to visit their local charter schools and be informed about choices for students and parents. There are community and school events across Idaho culminating in a Capitol Day event on February 6th.
Quality education is an American Right. Help us support National School Choice Week, and the commitment to transforming education and providing high-quality opportunities for all students.
With a variety of quality choices for education, students and parents can find the best fit for their needs and forge different paths to success. ICSN believes that one size or type of education does not fit everyone, and that Idaho needs a robust and innovative charter school sector to drive innovation and competition. Across the country and in Idaho, public charter schools are successfully creating a wide variety of innovations, including curriculum design (e.g., Montessori, IB, Core Knowledge, Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Courses, Foreign Language Immersion Programs, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics), extended learning time, multi-age programs, and school cultures with high expectations for students and adults.
Join us in celebrating school choice week and get informed about high-quality public school choice.
Millar also serves as the Principal of Forrest Bird Charter Schools in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
EXCERPTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT LUNA’S REMARKS TO LEGISLATURE’S BUDGET-SETTING COMMITTEE
On January 24, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna recommended a 3 percent, or $37.9 million, increase for Idaho's public schools.
Each year, Superintendent Luna provides his ideas and recommendations for the public schools budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC), the Legislature’s budget-setting committee. This year, Superintendent Luna also provided recommendations on how the Legislature should handle the remainder of the current fiscal year 2013 appropriation for Idaho schools.
Here is a summary of the Superintendent's recommendations as well as excerpts from his remarks to explain the budget proposal.
Maintain current funding for fiscal year 2013
For the current fiscal year 2013, Superintendent Luna recommended the Legislature provide funding to school districts through the remainder of the fiscal year as originally appropriated last year. Superintendent Luna said: "Districts set budgets, signed contracts, and made commitments based on the original fiscal year 2013 appropriation. Teachers engaged in expected professional development to implement new tools in the classroom. It's important and necessary that districts receive the money they were expecting and that educators continue to receive the professional development that they planned for and need."
On January 25, Rep. Reed DeMordaunt and Sen. John Goedde, the chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees, introduced legislation that would provide the necessary fixes to the fiscal year 2013 budget and ensure Idaho school districts and public charter schools receive exactly what was originally appropriated and budgeted for at the beginning of fiscal year 2013.
For fiscal year 2014, which begins July 1 and covers the 2013-14 school year, Superintendent Luna proposed a 3 percent, or $37.9 million, increase in general funds. He proposed this increase be used in the following ways:
$10.4 million to restore a historic line item for classroom technology for school districts
Superintendent Luna said: "While technology has been a hotly debated topic over the past two years, one thing became clear: Teachers do utilize technology in the classroom. In the 21st Century, technology is not a silver bullet or an end-all, be-all. It's also not a one-time capital expenditure. It should be treated like a utility. Just as we wouldn't cut all the funding for transportation or all the funding districts use to pay the electric bill, I think it is critical that we continue to provide funding for districts to purchase and implement technology in the classroom. ... Since 1995, there's only been one year the state did not distribute at least $8.4 million to districts for classroom technology. ... I am requesting $10.4 million for classroom technology in Fiscal Year 2014. I understand the use of this funding may change in future years based on the work and recommendations of the Task Force for Improving Education in many areas of education reform, including classroom technology. But I believe it is critical this year for us to restore this dedicated line item for our schools and classrooms today so it is available now and in the future."
$2.5 million in continued funding for District IT Staffing
Superintendent Luna said: "As we continue to implement and use more technology in our classrooms, we all know the critical role that IT Staff play at the district and school level. For that reason, I have left the line item for District IT Staffing at $2.5 million, the same as last year, and support this continued funding."
$3.7 million to fund professional development as Idaho teachers implement higher academic standards
Superintendent Luna said: "One of the biggest improvements happening in Idaho's education system today is the fact that we have raised our academic standards in mathematics and English language arts. ... Idaho teachers will begin teaching these new, more rigorous standards next school year, and our students will be measured against these higher standards in the Spring of 2015. At the State Department of Education, we have been working since 2011 to familiarize teachers and school administrators with the new standards and offer professional development. ... Now, over the next two fiscal years, our plan is to provide more face-to-face and blended professional development opportunities to ensure every elementary teacher and every secondary teacher who teaches Math or English Language Arts in Idaho receives this necessary professional development. That is why I am requesting $3.7 million in additional funding for Idaho Core Standards Professional Development."
$4.85 million to continue funding for more math and science teachers
Superintendent Luna said: "I am requesting ongoing support for math and science teachers. Two years ago, the Legislature provided this additional funding for Idaho's districts to hire more math and science teachers or to access highly effective math and science teachers or the Idaho Education Network. This was a commitment the State Board of Education and the Idaho Legislature made in 2007 when they approved new high school graduation requirements. I believe it is critical that we follow through on this commitment. Even though the legislation behind this funding has gone away, my budget proposal includes the $4.85 million in ongoing funding for math and science teachers."
$7.7 million to follow through on the state's commitment to operate the statewide instructional management system, known as Schoolnet, and provide professional development opportunities for Idaho teachers on how to integrate this system in the classroom
Superintendent Luna said: "Another great example of how technology is changing the classroom is the instructional management system we have deployed across the state, known as Schoolnet. ... The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation stepped up in 2011 when we were still facing a recession and provided a $21 million grant to deploy Schoolnet to every classroom in Idaho. Schoolnet is a portal through which any classroom teacher can log in and see how each individual student is achieving. Teachers can also see how their entire classroom of students is achieving throughout the school year or on a daily basis. ... When the Albertson Foundation provided the grant funding in 2011, they did so based on a commitment that the state would provide matching funds during the 3-year grant cycle and then pick up the ongoing costs at the end of the grant. The state provided this commitment through the Students Come First legislation. This program remains strong in our schools today. Therefore, I have requested $4.9 million to continue our commitment to Schoolnet in Idaho's public schools next year. This line item provides funding to not only operate Schoolnet in Idaho's schools, but also provide maintenance, updates, the necessary technical support, and access to the robust digital content from Discovery Education. I also am requesting $3.2 million to continue providing professional development to Idaho's teachers and school administrators on how to effectively integrate all the tools available in Schoolnet into the school and classroom. While every teacher and administrator currently has access, the majority have not yet received professional development on how to use this yet on a daily basis. We also want to expand this access to parents and policymakers."
1.67% increase to restore the shift in funding for teacher salaries and raise the minimum teacher salary to $31,000
Superintendent Luna said: "My budget includes a 1.67% increase in base salaries. However, this does not address the issue of the minimum salary, which is not affected by the increase. Therefore, my budget recommends increasing the minimum salary by $500 to keep pace with this increase in salary-based apportionment. This will increase the minimum salary to $31,000."
Maintaining the $38 million in teacher compensation
Superintendent Luna urged the Idaho Legislature to keep the $38 million put toward increasing teacher compensation last year in teacher compensation next year and in the future through a combination of the base salary, minimum salary and some form of differentiated compensation. Superintendent Luna said: "As I said before, this Legislature appropriated an unprecedented increase in overall teacher compensation last year – a more than 5% increase. Much of this increase came about because of the implementation of the state's pay-for-performance plan. Whether you agree or disagree with that plan, the fact is that every penny went to Idaho's teachers. In recent months, I know there has been much discussion over how to spend this funding going forward. As State Superintendent, I believe it must remain in compensation for Idaho's teachers – not only this year but in years going forward. Since I took office, we have worked to increase teacher pay. In years past, when the state saw a surplus in revenues, we worked to increase teacher pay: a 3% increase in base salaries in FY2008, and a 2% increase in FY2009. But even in the best of times, we never saw the 5.8% increase in total compensation we saw last year through a combination of the salary grid, minimum salary and a statewide differentiated compensation plan.
"I am convinced the only way we can continue to see this unprecedented amount of funding go toward teacher compensation is if the state develops a form of differentiated compensation for Idaho's educators – similar to what other professions have in place today. As you know, I have long supported not only paying Idaho's teachers better, but paying them differently – so we can recruit and retain the best and the brightest in the teaching profession for years to come. I understand this plan will look different than the plan that stakeholders crafted in 2009 and that the state implemented last year. I am comfortable with that. I am committed to working with the members of the Task Force for Improving Education and this Idaho Legislature so that together we can ensure every penny continues to go to Idaho's teachers and educators, not only this year but next year and in the future."
$250,000 to continue the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program
Superintendent Luna said: "Since I took office in 2007, I have always advocated for the state to fund dual credits for high school students who have met certain benchmarks. We discussed this in 2007 and had a task force study this issue and present recommendations to the Legislature in 2009. One of the goals of the Education Alliance of Idaho, made up of all education stakeholders, was that by the year 2015, Idaho high school students would have the ability to earn 30 college credits before graduating from high school. In response, in 2011, the Idaho Legislature created and implemented the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program, allowing high school students who met their high school graduation requirements early to stay in high school and take up to 36 dual credits a year – paid for by the state. In the short time the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program was available, 32 students took advantage of this program. Students in neighboring states, like Washington and Utah, have been enjoying these benefits for several years. We must give Idaho students these same opportunities. That is why I am requesting $250,000 to restore and continue the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program in the coming year."
$150,000 to reconvene the Safe Schools Task Force that will take a renewed look at school safety in Idaho
Superintendent Luna said: "The recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut is a stark reminder that no community – large or small – is immune to random acts of violence. ... In 2007, to gain a better understanding of school vulnerabilities and readiness to respond to crisis, this body appropriated funding for a statewide school safety and security assessment. This assessment included surveys, site visits, focus groups and community meetings. Based on the results of the assessment, the state worked closely with local school districts to develop recommendations and improve safety and security for Idaho's students. Based on the most recent tragedy, I think it is time that we re-convene the stakeholder group from 2007. A lot has changed. We know a lot more today, and we should incorporate new best practices. Therefore, we should take a renewed look at school safety. We never want to look back and ask ourselves, "Could we have done more, or should we have done more –" I am grateful to Governor Otter for asking retired Col. Jerry Russell to help us in this effort. You will see the line item for $150,000 for us to work with Col. Russell and assess school safety and security over the next several months. I expect this group to have a report or recommendations for this Legislature by next session."
Visit our website to find more detailed information on Superintendent Luna's fiscal year 2014 Public Schools Budget request, including a copy of his full remarks to JFAC.
Each year, Superintendent Luna provides his ideas and recommendations for the public schools budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC), the Legislature’s budget-setting committee. This year, Superintendent Luna also provided recommendations on how the Legislature should handle the remainder of the current fiscal year 2013 appropriation for Idaho schools.
Here is a summary of the Superintendent's recommendations as well as excerpts from his remarks to explain the budget proposal.
Maintain current funding for fiscal year 2013
For the current fiscal year 2013, Superintendent Luna recommended the Legislature provide funding to school districts through the remainder of the fiscal year as originally appropriated last year. Superintendent Luna said: "Districts set budgets, signed contracts, and made commitments based on the original fiscal year 2013 appropriation. Teachers engaged in expected professional development to implement new tools in the classroom. It's important and necessary that districts receive the money they were expecting and that educators continue to receive the professional development that they planned for and need."
On January 25, Rep. Reed DeMordaunt and Sen. John Goedde, the chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees, introduced legislation that would provide the necessary fixes to the fiscal year 2013 budget and ensure Idaho school districts and public charter schools receive exactly what was originally appropriated and budgeted for at the beginning of fiscal year 2013.
For fiscal year 2014, which begins July 1 and covers the 2013-14 school year, Superintendent Luna proposed a 3 percent, or $37.9 million, increase in general funds. He proposed this increase be used in the following ways:
$10.4 million to restore a historic line item for classroom technology for school districts
Superintendent Luna said: "While technology has been a hotly debated topic over the past two years, one thing became clear: Teachers do utilize technology in the classroom. In the 21st Century, technology is not a silver bullet or an end-all, be-all. It's also not a one-time capital expenditure. It should be treated like a utility. Just as we wouldn't cut all the funding for transportation or all the funding districts use to pay the electric bill, I think it is critical that we continue to provide funding for districts to purchase and implement technology in the classroom. ... Since 1995, there's only been one year the state did not distribute at least $8.4 million to districts for classroom technology. ... I am requesting $10.4 million for classroom technology in Fiscal Year 2014. I understand the use of this funding may change in future years based on the work and recommendations of the Task Force for Improving Education in many areas of education reform, including classroom technology. But I believe it is critical this year for us to restore this dedicated line item for our schools and classrooms today so it is available now and in the future."
$2.5 million in continued funding for District IT Staffing
Superintendent Luna said: "As we continue to implement and use more technology in our classrooms, we all know the critical role that IT Staff play at the district and school level. For that reason, I have left the line item for District IT Staffing at $2.5 million, the same as last year, and support this continued funding."
$3.7 million to fund professional development as Idaho teachers implement higher academic standards
Superintendent Luna said: "One of the biggest improvements happening in Idaho's education system today is the fact that we have raised our academic standards in mathematics and English language arts. ... Idaho teachers will begin teaching these new, more rigorous standards next school year, and our students will be measured against these higher standards in the Spring of 2015. At the State Department of Education, we have been working since 2011 to familiarize teachers and school administrators with the new standards and offer professional development. ... Now, over the next two fiscal years, our plan is to provide more face-to-face and blended professional development opportunities to ensure every elementary teacher and every secondary teacher who teaches Math or English Language Arts in Idaho receives this necessary professional development. That is why I am requesting $3.7 million in additional funding for Idaho Core Standards Professional Development."
$4.85 million to continue funding for more math and science teachers
Superintendent Luna said: "I am requesting ongoing support for math and science teachers. Two years ago, the Legislature provided this additional funding for Idaho's districts to hire more math and science teachers or to access highly effective math and science teachers or the Idaho Education Network. This was a commitment the State Board of Education and the Idaho Legislature made in 2007 when they approved new high school graduation requirements. I believe it is critical that we follow through on this commitment. Even though the legislation behind this funding has gone away, my budget proposal includes the $4.85 million in ongoing funding for math and science teachers."
$7.7 million to follow through on the state's commitment to operate the statewide instructional management system, known as Schoolnet, and provide professional development opportunities for Idaho teachers on how to integrate this system in the classroom
Superintendent Luna said: "Another great example of how technology is changing the classroom is the instructional management system we have deployed across the state, known as Schoolnet. ... The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation stepped up in 2011 when we were still facing a recession and provided a $21 million grant to deploy Schoolnet to every classroom in Idaho. Schoolnet is a portal through which any classroom teacher can log in and see how each individual student is achieving. Teachers can also see how their entire classroom of students is achieving throughout the school year or on a daily basis. ... When the Albertson Foundation provided the grant funding in 2011, they did so based on a commitment that the state would provide matching funds during the 3-year grant cycle and then pick up the ongoing costs at the end of the grant. The state provided this commitment through the Students Come First legislation. This program remains strong in our schools today. Therefore, I have requested $4.9 million to continue our commitment to Schoolnet in Idaho's public schools next year. This line item provides funding to not only operate Schoolnet in Idaho's schools, but also provide maintenance, updates, the necessary technical support, and access to the robust digital content from Discovery Education. I also am requesting $3.2 million to continue providing professional development to Idaho's teachers and school administrators on how to effectively integrate all the tools available in Schoolnet into the school and classroom. While every teacher and administrator currently has access, the majority have not yet received professional development on how to use this yet on a daily basis. We also want to expand this access to parents and policymakers."
1.67% increase to restore the shift in funding for teacher salaries and raise the minimum teacher salary to $31,000
Superintendent Luna said: "My budget includes a 1.67% increase in base salaries. However, this does not address the issue of the minimum salary, which is not affected by the increase. Therefore, my budget recommends increasing the minimum salary by $500 to keep pace with this increase in salary-based apportionment. This will increase the minimum salary to $31,000."
Maintaining the $38 million in teacher compensation
Superintendent Luna urged the Idaho Legislature to keep the $38 million put toward increasing teacher compensation last year in teacher compensation next year and in the future through a combination of the base salary, minimum salary and some form of differentiated compensation. Superintendent Luna said: "As I said before, this Legislature appropriated an unprecedented increase in overall teacher compensation last year – a more than 5% increase. Much of this increase came about because of the implementation of the state's pay-for-performance plan. Whether you agree or disagree with that plan, the fact is that every penny went to Idaho's teachers. In recent months, I know there has been much discussion over how to spend this funding going forward. As State Superintendent, I believe it must remain in compensation for Idaho's teachers – not only this year but in years going forward. Since I took office, we have worked to increase teacher pay. In years past, when the state saw a surplus in revenues, we worked to increase teacher pay: a 3% increase in base salaries in FY2008, and a 2% increase in FY2009. But even in the best of times, we never saw the 5.8% increase in total compensation we saw last year through a combination of the salary grid, minimum salary and a statewide differentiated compensation plan.
"I am convinced the only way we can continue to see this unprecedented amount of funding go toward teacher compensation is if the state develops a form of differentiated compensation for Idaho's educators – similar to what other professions have in place today. As you know, I have long supported not only paying Idaho's teachers better, but paying them differently – so we can recruit and retain the best and the brightest in the teaching profession for years to come. I understand this plan will look different than the plan that stakeholders crafted in 2009 and that the state implemented last year. I am comfortable with that. I am committed to working with the members of the Task Force for Improving Education and this Idaho Legislature so that together we can ensure every penny continues to go to Idaho's teachers and educators, not only this year but next year and in the future."
$250,000 to continue the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program
Superintendent Luna said: "Since I took office in 2007, I have always advocated for the state to fund dual credits for high school students who have met certain benchmarks. We discussed this in 2007 and had a task force study this issue and present recommendations to the Legislature in 2009. One of the goals of the Education Alliance of Idaho, made up of all education stakeholders, was that by the year 2015, Idaho high school students would have the ability to earn 30 college credits before graduating from high school. In response, in 2011, the Idaho Legislature created and implemented the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program, allowing high school students who met their high school graduation requirements early to stay in high school and take up to 36 dual credits a year – paid for by the state. In the short time the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program was available, 32 students took advantage of this program. Students in neighboring states, like Washington and Utah, have been enjoying these benefits for several years. We must give Idaho students these same opportunities. That is why I am requesting $250,000 to restore and continue the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program in the coming year."
$150,000 to reconvene the Safe Schools Task Force that will take a renewed look at school safety in Idaho
Superintendent Luna said: "The recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut is a stark reminder that no community – large or small – is immune to random acts of violence. ... In 2007, to gain a better understanding of school vulnerabilities and readiness to respond to crisis, this body appropriated funding for a statewide school safety and security assessment. This assessment included surveys, site visits, focus groups and community meetings. Based on the results of the assessment, the state worked closely with local school districts to develop recommendations and improve safety and security for Idaho's students. Based on the most recent tragedy, I think it is time that we re-convene the stakeholder group from 2007. A lot has changed. We know a lot more today, and we should incorporate new best practices. Therefore, we should take a renewed look at school safety. We never want to look back and ask ourselves, "Could we have done more, or should we have done more –" I am grateful to Governor Otter for asking retired Col. Jerry Russell to help us in this effort. You will see the line item for $150,000 for us to work with Col. Russell and assess school safety and security over the next several months. I expect this group to have a report or recommendations for this Legislature by next session."
Visit our website to find more detailed information on Superintendent Luna's fiscal year 2014 Public Schools Budget request, including a copy of his full remarks to JFAC.
Friday, January 25, 2013
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 from February 28 to March 1, 2013 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 a statutory requirement for all
charter developers. This free workshop is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 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 7:45
a.m. All participants will receive a charter start resource guide.
The deadline to register is Friday, February 22, 2013. No late registrants will be accepted.
Space is limited so please register now by completing the registration form and
returning to Michelle Clement Taylor.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Newly Developed Task Force for School Safety Holds First Meeting
Safety stakeholders and school safety experts from around the state met today at the Idaho State Department of Education to share their perspectives as part of an ongoing commitment to safety in Idaho schools.
The State of Idaho took an in-depth look at school safety in 2007 and 2008, convening a stakeholder group and conducting a statewide assessment. Based on that work, the state developed best practices, established a template crisis response plan, and held statewide trainings, among other things.
Now, after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna asked the stakeholder group to convene once again to take a renewed look at school safety.
This morning, he requested $150,000 from the Idaho Legislature to fund the group’s work over the next year.
The group is made up of educators and law enforcement. The safe schools task force aims to provide specific recommendations for school safety in Idaho, with the following questions as a starting point for conversation:
After clarifying discussion parameters and determining the task force’s scope and goals, team members participated in a robust and productive discussion of current barriers to security and proposals for finding solutions.
Much discussion focused on finding the right balance between security and convenience—two factors that are often directly at odds. Discussion also lingered on complacency and the need for the state and its citizens to recognize that tragedies can happen anywhere. Emergency preparation isn’t just a good idea; it’s a necessity.
The task force will meet again in February to continue its discussion.
The State of Idaho took an in-depth look at school safety in 2007 and 2008, convening a stakeholder group and conducting a statewide assessment. Based on that work, the state developed best practices, established a template crisis response plan, and held statewide trainings, among other things.
Now, after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna asked the stakeholder group to convene once again to take a renewed look at school safety.
This morning, he requested $150,000 from the Idaho Legislature to fund the group’s work over the next year.
The group is made up of educators and law enforcement. The safe schools task force aims to provide specific recommendations for school safety in Idaho, with the following questions as a starting point for conversation:
- What do safe, healthy, thriving schools look like?
- What are some recommendations to bridge the gap between where we are now and where we need to be in the future in terms of school safety and emergency preparedness?
After clarifying discussion parameters and determining the task force’s scope and goals, team members participated in a robust and productive discussion of current barriers to security and proposals for finding solutions.
Much discussion focused on finding the right balance between security and convenience—two factors that are often directly at odds. Discussion also lingered on complacency and the need for the state and its citizens to recognize that tragedies can happen anywhere. Emergency preparation isn’t just a good idea; it’s a necessity.
The task force will meet again in February to continue its discussion.
SUPERINTENDENT LUNA RECOMMENDS 3% INCREASE FOR IDAHO’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna recommended a 3 percent, or $37.9 million, increase for Idaho’s public schools today during his presentation to the Legislature’s budget-setting committee.
Each year, Superintendent Luna provides his ideas and recommendations for the public schools budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC). This year, Superintendent Luna also provided recommendations on how the Legislature should handle the remainder of the current fiscal year 2013 appropriation for Idaho schools.
He recommended the Legislature provide funding to school districts through fiscal year 2013 as originally appropriated last year.
“Districts set budgets, signed contracts, and made commitments based on the original fiscal year 2013 appropriation. Teachers engaged in expected professional development to implement new tools in the classroom. It’s important and necessary that districts receive the money they were expecting and that educators continue to receive the professional development that they planned for and need,” Superintendent Luna told members of JFAC on Thursday.
For fiscal year 2014, which begins July 1 and covers the 2013-14 school year, Superintendent Luna has proposed a 3 percent increase in general funds. This increase will be used to restore the 1.67% shift in teacher salaries, raise the minimum teacher salary, restore a historical line item for classroom technology, provide professional development as Idaho teachers begin to implement higher academic standards, fund more math and science teachers, and continue to offer dual credit opportunities for high school students.
Superintendent Luna also committed to working with the Idaho Legislature and Task Force for Improving Education, recently created by the State Board of Education, to develop a new differentiated compensation plan for Idaho’s teachers to ensure that more than $30 million in state funding – a historic increase in teacher pay last year – remains in teacher compensation.
“I am convinced the only way we can continue to see this unprecedented amount of funding go toward teacher compensation is if the state develops a form of differentiated compensation for Idaho’s educators – similar to what other professions have in place today. I understand this plan will look different than the plan that stakeholders crafted in 2009 and that the state implemented last year,” Superintendent Luna said. “I am committed to working with the members of the Task Force for Improving Education and this Idaho Legislature so that together we can ensure every penny continues to go to Idaho’s teachers and educators, not only this year but next year and in the future.”
Here are the highlights of Superintendent Luna’s request for the FY2014 Public Schools Budget:
- 3 percent, or $37.9 million, increase in General Funds for public schools
- 1.67% to restore the shift in funding for teacher salaries
- Raise the minimum teacher salary to $31,000
- 1.5% increase in discretionary funds for local school districts and public charter schools
- 2% increase in pupil transportation funds
- $10.4 million to restore a historic line item for classroom technology for school districts
- $3.7 million to fund professional development as Idaho teachers implement higher academic standards
- $4.8 million to continue funding for more math and science teachers
- $7.7 million to follow through on the state’s commitment to operate the statewide instructional management system, known as Schoolnet, and provide professional development opportunities for Idaho teachers on how to integrate this system in the classroom
- $10 million to begin a two-year phase-in to restore school facilities and maintenance funding
- $250,000 to continue the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program
- $150,000 to reconvene the Safe Schools Task Force that will take a renewed look at school safety in Idaho
Friday, January 11, 2013
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY VALIDATES IDAHO’S EFFORTS ON PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, WILL GUIDE FUTURE WORK
The Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project published a policy brief this week, titled Ensuring Fair and Reliable Measures of Effective Teaching, which analyzes findings from its three-year study on how a set of measures can identify effective teaching fairly and reliably.
The MET Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, partnered with 3,000 teacher volunteers who opened up their classrooms. In its research, it looked at:
In 2010, in response to early and encouraging findings from the MET project, the Idaho State Department of Education began sponsoring trainings for administrators and teachers around the state based on research from the MET study. Idaho administrators and teacher leaders have had the opportunity to access the same training and earn the same certification required of the evaluators who participated in the three-year research project. Idaho participants have consistently confirmed that the trainings have been key in their growth as evaluators, and that they are more competent in identifying and measuring teacher performance with accuracy.
Over the last two years, 81 administrators have been involved in training in northern Idaho, 150 in eastern Idaho, and 164 in southwestern Idaho. Of those, 308 have taken advantage of the opportunity to become certified evaluators using the technology developed through the MET study. Additionally, 1,500 teacher licenses were purchased by the State Department of Education to allow teachers greater access and understanding of the Framework, and to facilitate collaborative conversations around effective teaching.
The State Department of Education will use this and other extensive research as it works with the multiple stakeholders across Idaho through the Educator Evaluation Task Force in the coming months on developing effective teacher and administrator performance evaluations to improve the craft of teaching.
We encourage all Idaho educators and interested stakeholders to review the MET policy brief.
The MET Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, partnered with 3,000 teacher volunteers who opened up their classrooms. In its research, it looked at:
- Classroom observation instruments, including the Danielson Framework for Effective Teaching;
- Student perception surveys; and
- Student achievement gains on state tests and on more cognitively challenging assessments.
- Effective teaching can be measured,
- Balanced weights indicate multiple aspects of effective teaching, and
- Adding a second observer increases reliability significantly more than having the same observer score an additional lesson.
In 2010, in response to early and encouraging findings from the MET project, the Idaho State Department of Education began sponsoring trainings for administrators and teachers around the state based on research from the MET study. Idaho administrators and teacher leaders have had the opportunity to access the same training and earn the same certification required of the evaluators who participated in the three-year research project. Idaho participants have consistently confirmed that the trainings have been key in their growth as evaluators, and that they are more competent in identifying and measuring teacher performance with accuracy.
Over the last two years, 81 administrators have been involved in training in northern Idaho, 150 in eastern Idaho, and 164 in southwestern Idaho. Of those, 308 have taken advantage of the opportunity to become certified evaluators using the technology developed through the MET study. Additionally, 1,500 teacher licenses were purchased by the State Department of Education to allow teachers greater access and understanding of the Framework, and to facilitate collaborative conversations around effective teaching.
The State Department of Education will use this and other extensive research as it works with the multiple stakeholders across Idaho through the Educator Evaluation Task Force in the coming months on developing effective teacher and administrator performance evaluations to improve the craft of teaching.
We encourage all Idaho educators and interested stakeholders to review the MET policy brief.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
TASK FORCE FOR IMPROVING EDUCATION TO MEET FRIDAY
The Task Force for Improving Education will hold its first meeting tomorrow, January 11, 2013, in Boise. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Yanke Family Research Park in Boise.
“This Task Force represents a broad and diverse group of stakeholders from across the state,” said State Board President Ken Edmunds. “I am confident in the knowledgeable and forward thinking experts who have agreed to serve on this Task Force and guide the process.”
The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed via the web.
The Task Force was created after the Students Come First laws were repealed on November 6. Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter asked the State Board of Education to shepherd a statewide discussion about school improvement.
“I’m asking the Board to guide the work of a broadly representative group of concerned Idahoans in studying best practices in school districts around the state and using data and experience to drive sound decision making. The group is likely to be large, but only large enough to include the diversity of opinion needed to properly study such a complex issue,” Governor Otter said in an op-ed on December 27.
Learn more about the Task Force for Improving Education, including a list of members and the agenda for the first meeting.
“This Task Force represents a broad and diverse group of stakeholders from across the state,” said State Board President Ken Edmunds. “I am confident in the knowledgeable and forward thinking experts who have agreed to serve on this Task Force and guide the process.”
The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed via the web.
The Task Force was created after the Students Come First laws were repealed on November 6. Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter asked the State Board of Education to shepherd a statewide discussion about school improvement.
“I’m asking the Board to guide the work of a broadly representative group of concerned Idahoans in studying best practices in school districts around the state and using data and experience to drive sound decision making. The group is likely to be large, but only large enough to include the diversity of opinion needed to properly study such a complex issue,” Governor Otter said in an op-ed on December 27.
Learn more about the Task Force for Improving Education, including a list of members and the agenda for the first meeting.
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