JFAC APPROVES 2.2% INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR IDAHO SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR

The Legislature’s budget-setting committee today approved a 2.2 percent increase in general funds for Idaho’s public schools next school year.

The increase approved by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) includes funding to improve compensation for Idaho teachers through the salary grid as well as differential pay, dual credit for Idaho high school students taking college or professional-technical courses, technology for all Idaho classrooms, and more professional development opportunities for educators.

“I am pleased with the public schools budget approved today for the upcoming school year. This is just the first step in the approval process, but it is an important step,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said after JFAC approved the budget.

He continued, “Today, the committee not only increased the amount of money going to Idaho’s public schools next year, but they also approved funding for critical programs that will help raise academic achievement by providing equal access and opportunity for all teachers and students, such as dual credit for high school students, advanced classroom technology, meaningful professional development, and funding to compensate Idaho’s teachers more through the state salary grid as well as differential pay plans that will be developed at the local level. This is a responsible budget that works to meet the needs of our students across the state.”

If approved, the budget will go into effect July 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year.

Here is an overview of the FY2014 Public Schools Budget approved in JFAC today:

• 2.2% increase in General Funds.
• Increases in compensation:
• Increase in the minimum teacher salary, from $30,500 to $31,000.
• Restore 1.67% in salary-based apportionment.
• Buy back both years of experience that were frozen on the grid in 2009 and 2010 during the economic recession.
• $21 million in block grants that will be distributed to school districts and public charter schools for compensation. The goal is for districts to spend up to 40% on professional development and 60% on differential pay plans, which focus on increasing student achievement and will be developed at the local district level. The intent language for this funding is still being finalized.
• $13.4 million for classroom technology. The goal is for the majority of this funding to be distributed to school districts and public charter schools through a student-based formula. Approximately $2.3 million would be used to create wireless learning environments in every public high school, and $3 million would be awarded through competitive technology grants for schools to pilot innovative ideas for integrating technology in the classroom. The intent language for this funding is still being finalized.
• $10.5 million for the Idaho Reading Initiative, Idaho Math Initiative and Remediation Funding. This is a $1.1 million increase in funding to assist non-Title I One-Star and Two-Star Schools.
• $4.85 million to fund math and science teachers and instruction to help Idaho school districts and public charter schools meet new high school graduation requirements.
• $4.6 million in funding for Schoolnet operations and professional development. JFAC also gave the Department flexibility to use remaining funding from FY2013 to help meet commitments to the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation in FY2014.
• $3.75 million to fund professional development opportunities as Idaho schools begin implementing the new Idaho Core content standards in mathematics and English language arts.
• $6.5 million in maintenance funding for local school districts with the goal to phase in the remainder of the $20 million in maintenance funding within three years.
• $740,000 in additional funding for schools to voluntarily administer the PSAT to sophomores and to administer end-of-course assessments in science.
• $250,000 for the Dual Credit for Early Completers Program.
• $100,000 in funding for the School Safety Task Force.
• $111,000 to award teachers who have earned National Board Certification.
• 1.5% increase in discretionary funding for school districts and public charter schools.

Idaho Science Teacher Named Regional Winner in the Shell Science Lab Challenge

The following is a news release from the National Science Teachers Association recognizing an outstanding Idaho teacher:

 Idaho Science Teacher Named Regional Winner in the Shell Science Lab Challenge

18 Regional Winners Competing For Up To $93,000 in Prizes, Including a $20,000 School Science Lab Makeover

CRAIGMONT, Idaho — February 28, 2013 — Merrie Rampy, a science teacher at Highland High School in Craigmont, Idaho, has been named a regional winner in the Shell Science Lab Challenge, a competition for middle and high school science teachers. Sponsored by the Shell Oil Company and administered by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the competition encouraged teachers (grades 6-12), who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences with limited school and laboratory resources, to share their approaches for a chance to win a school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000. Rampy is one of 18 regional winners named, from which five national finalists will be chosen, and from the national finalists a grand prize winner will be selected.

Highland’s principal says she has seen Rampy “take our basic middle and high school science program and change it to a rigorous and exciting place for students to learn about all of the possibilities science has to offer…Other teachers have observed her excitement about her subject area and the improvements she wanted to bring to her program, and in turn, improve their own programs. Our high school has moved from ‘let's get these students to graduate' to ‘let’s ensure all of our students can reach their educational and life goals, including attending a four-year college…’ Our students believe it is cool to be a science nerd."

The only thing holding Rampy back from having an exceptional program is the antiquated science lab in her rural school. The lack of funding for quality equipment and materials has prevented students from experiencing the sophisticated labs that would prepare them for scientific careers. Despite the limitations, Rampy continues to provide high-quality learning experiences for her students.

“We are truly amazed by the regional winners’ ingenuity,” said Dr. David Evans, Executive Director, NSTA. “These science educators—with limited resources and funding—have come up with some incredible ideas and creative approaches to providing high-quality lab experiences for their students.”

“Inquiry-based learning and hands-on experimentation are key elements for encouraging student interest in science,” said Dr. Frazier Wilson, Vice President, Shell Oil Company Foundation, Manager, Social Investment. “The Shell Science Lab Challenge strives to support inquiry-based instructional practices of our science teachers and excite students about the wonders and possibilities of science through active learning that emphasizes questioning, data analysis, and critical thinking. Exemplary science teaching is more relevant when it occurs in a quality lab environment where science concepts can be explored by students.”

To enter the Shell Science Lab Challenge, science teachers of grades 6-12 in the United States and Canada were asked to describe their school’s current laboratory resources, explain why the school’s laboratory facilities might be classified as “limited” resources, and describe their approach to science education instruction utilizing their school’s current lab facilities. A panel of science educators then reviewed and selected the top entries.

As a regional winner, each teacher and their school will receive science lab equipment, Shell cash grants, membership to the NSTA, and support to attend an NSTA conference. VWR is also supporting the Shell Science Lab Challenge by providing equipment to the winners.

For more information about the Challenge, visit http://www.nsta.org/shellsciencelab/.

Idaho Celebrates Territorial Sesquicentennial (150 Years) – Kick-Off Today, 12:00 noon, Capitol Building, Boise

In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signed the congressional act that officially established Idaho as the 43^rd U.S. state. But the story of Idaho starts much earlier. Twenty-seven years prior to statehood, on March 4, 1863, another significant Idaho milestone came by the hand of President Abraham Lincoln—the creation of Idaho Territory.

Those 27 intervening years—between Idaho’s foundation as a territory and its establishment as a state—might just be the most significant quarter century in Idaho history, shaping the state that Idaho would become and is today.

Governor Otter, Superintendent Luna and other elected officials are commemorating this important milestone with a presentation and ceremony on the steps of the Idaho Capitol Building today at noon.

To further celebrate and explore Idaho’s rich history as a territory, the Idaho State Historical Society is also offering a number of resources and exhibits in honor of the sesquicentennial.  

In addition, the Idaho Humanities Council is hosting regional workshops for Idaho teachers on celebrating Idaho’s Territorial Sesquicentennial. If you are a classroom teacher, you can apply to participate this summer. Successful applicants will receive lodging (if needed), texts, and the opportunity to apply for optional college credit.

Workshop topics will include Native American relations; the Gold Rush story; law and lawlessness; territorial politics; settlement and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; economic development; and a local historical connection for each regional workshop.

Dates for the four workshops are June 24-25 in Boise; June 27-28 in Pocatello; July 8-9 in Lewiston; and July 11-12 in Coeur d’Alene. Apply online by April 15, 2013. 

The Idaho State Department of Education also has worked with teachers across the state to collect lesson plans “Idaho at 150” to commemorate this important milestone in Idaho’s history. Teachers will soon be able to access and share these lesson plans via Schoolnet, the state’s instructional management system. More information will be coming soon!

IDAHO SAT SCHOOL DAY REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Registration is now open for Idaho’s SAT® School Day, a free, in-school college entrance exam scheduled for Wednesday, April 17.

Funded by the state of Idaho, SAT School Day is an example of how states can utilize the nation’s oldest and most thoroughly researched college entrance exam to help promote a culture that encourages more students to pursue education after high school. Last year, more than 16,000 juniors across the state participated in Idaho SAT School Day. More Idahoans than ever before entered their senior year of high school with a key college admission credential.

“Idaho SAT School Day is a great opportunity for Idaho’s high school juniors to take one step closer to going on to postsecondary education,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I encourage all students to take advantage of this testing day in their school as well as the tools and resources the state offers, such as the free, online preparation course. I am pleased we can provide such unique advantages to our students to ensure more of them graduate from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education and not need remediation once they get there.”

Ken Edmunds, president of the Idaho State Board of Education, said, “Preparing students for success beyond high school is essential to Idaho’s economic growth and prosperity. The statewide SAT day provides students with the opportunity to identify areas of strength and weakness so they can better prepare for postsecondary education.”

In 2007, the Idaho Legislature approved new high school graduation requirements, beginning with the Class of 2013. The new requirements included three years of math, three years of science, and a requirement for all high school juniors to take a college entrance exam. The state now pays for students to take the SAT or ACCUPLACER through a contract with the College Board.

High school juniors can register for Idaho SAT School Day online or through their school’s guidance counselor’s office. Registration ends Wednesday, April 3. 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 email 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.

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™, available through their school. 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 on the College Board’s website. 

Students can use their SAT scores to research colleges and universities on the College Board’s free comprehensive college planning website, The BigFuture™. This site was created with the Education Conservancy and in consultation with students and educators to help make the college planning process simpler and more accessible. BigFuture walks students through each step of the college planning process, from finding colleges that fit, to writing a college essay, to applying for financial aid. At the site, students can watch videos from real students giving tips on college planning, such as what do to on a campus visit, and students can explore college options with advice from the schools themselves. Students also have access to Skills Insight™, which is a general guide to help students determine their current skill level in reading, writing and math — the areas tested on the SAT.

Created by educators and aligned to Common Core State Standards, the SAT tests the reading, mathematics and writing skills and the knowledge students acquire during high school. The SAT provides a fair, national benchmark for assessing a student’s college and career readiness. Scores for each section of the SAT are reported on a 200- to 800-point scale, with additional subscores reported for the essay (ranging from 2 to 12) and for multiple-choice writing questions (on a 20- to 80-point scale). The SAT provides valuable feedback to students and families, including a detailed breakdown of a student’s score in each section, with insight into academic strengths and areas for improvement.

“Ensuring that as many high school students as possible have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in college is more important now than at any point in our nation’s history, so we are pleased to see states and districts guiding students to a key college credential by hosting SAT School Day,” said College Board Vice President James Montoya, a former dean of admission. “College is a major family financial investment, and the SAT helps students identify the colleges and universities where they have the highest likelihood of academic success. When used in combination with high school grades, the SAT is the most valid predictor of first-year college performance. ”

Department Launches Next Practices Website

The Idaho State Department of Education launched the Next Practices website today as part of Digital Learning Day.

Idaho joined 46 states in marking Digital Learning Day to highlight innovative teaching taking place in classrooms across our state. The state recognized and rewarded nine teachers for their innovative use of technology in the classroom and is sharing their best practices with others in Idaho through videos and Schoolnet.

In addition to this, the Department worked last fall to visit schools and districts in several communities – large and small – that were working to integrate technology in the classroom in unique ways or using new, innovative strategies to keep students engaged in school and improving their academic achievement.

We documented this – what we are calling “Next Practices” – on our new website, and hope you will take the time to watch these videos, take some notes and maybe try some of these ideas in your classroom, school or community.

Right now, you can visit our Next Practices website and see how Centennial High students are turning the school library into a vibrant place that kids want to be! Or take a trip to Melba where teachers are using iPads and a secure social networking site called Edmodo. A paraprofessional in the Highland School describes how they have used iPads to better educate those students who are struggling academically.You can learn how Justin Hoffman earned more than 20 dual credits while still in high school to get a jumpstart on his college education, or see how schools are using blended learning to ease the workload for teachers and bring lessons to life for students.

We hope this is just the beginning. If you have an idea or something you consider a “Next Practice,” let us know! We hope to add more content to this site in the future so educators can share these next practices with each other.

JKAF Announces $5 Million RFP for new P-TECH Charter Schools

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation invites school operators and other nonprofit organizations to submit proposals to launch innovative early college high schools in Idaho. Idaho’s P-TECH schools will be founded in collaboration with higher education institutions and industry partners with the goal of graduating students with the credentials and skills needed to launch meaningful careers.

Any organization that demonstrates the capacity to launch a P-TECH school is welcome to apply, including those outside the state of Idaho. Potential applicants include:

• community colleges,

• public school districts,

• charter schools/charter management organizations, and

• other existing school operators.

The initiative was inspired by the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) schools that have been opened in partnership with IBM in New York and Illinois. Those schools serve students from grades 9-14, but JKAF is open to funding projects that serve a different grade range as well.

P-TECH schools partner with both an industry professional to ensure the school’s academic program is aligned to needs and trends in that industry and a higher education institution to guide and inform school curriculum.

JKAF has budgeted $5 million for a successful school startup, including expenses to pay for trips to Idaho to discuss potential proposals. The money will also pay for the school’s establishment, to ensure that students can attend without having to pay tuition.

Key RFP Dates:

Wednesday, February 27
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an RFP information session at the JKAF offices at 10:00am. RSVP to ptech@jkaf.org by Friday, February 22. JKAF will support reasonable travel and lodging costs associated with attending the workshop.

Thursday, February 28 – Friday, March 1
Prospective charter applicants must attend a two-day Idaho Charter School Office Workshop. JKAF will support reasonable travel and lodging costs associated with attending the workshop.

Friday, March 8
Letters of Intent are due.

Friday, April 5
Full proposals are due.

 

Learn more and read the RFP here. 

Questions? Please contact: ptech@jkaf.org

IDAHO RECOGNIZES TEACHERS FOR USING DIGITAL LEARNING TO RAISE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Teachers, parents, and students across Idaho and the country celebrated Digital Learning Day. It was the second-annual Digital Learning Day in Idaho, as proclaimed by Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter.

On Digital Learning Day, the Idaho State Department of Education awarded nine Idaho educators for using technology in innovative ways to improve student learning.

“I am so proud of our talented teachers who work hard every day to find new ways to engage students in their learning and raise academic achievement,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “Digital Learning Day is a great way for us to celebrate their success in the classroom and share these best practices with other teachers and educators across the state.”

The goal of Digital Learning Day, a partnership with the Alliance for Excellent Education, is to highlight innovative teaching taking place in classrooms in Idaho and across the country so teachers can collaborate and share best practices with each other.

Digital learning provides 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. Through digital learning, students not only learn from the great teachers in their school but also now have access to other highly effective teachers in schools across the state.

Four Idaho teachers earned awards through Idaho State Department of Education’s new 21^st Century Classroom Recognition Awards program:

• Best Video: Mrs. Jennifer Duckwall of Mountain Valley Elementary School in the Bonneville School District. The winning video, called The Geometry Rap, is available online at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/nextPractices/. It was completely produced, directed, written, and edited by her students. Mrs. Duckwall said this type of digital learning helps drive student achievement forward in her classroom. “In my 2nd grade classroom after implementing digital technology such as this, my average math score was of a 5-6th grade competency and 96% of the class being above the 75th percentile in the nation,” she said in her application.

• Best Lesson Plan: Mrs. Kim Miller of Star Elementary School in Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian). Her winning lesson plan, Flow of Energy in an Ecosystem, is now available to all Idaho teachers through Schoolnet, the statewide instructional management system. It is aligned to state content standards and incorporates digital content.

• Best Unit Plan: Mrs. Kim Miller and Mrs. Marita Diffenbaugh of Star Elementary School in Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian). A unit plan is four to five lesson plans. Their winning unit plan, Mystery Substances Unit for 5th grade, is now available to all Idaho teachers through Schoolnet, the statewide instructional management system. It is aligned to state content standards and incorporates digital content.

• Best Practices in Visual Arts: Ms. Amber McVey of Pepper Ridge Elementary School in Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian). Her winning lesson plan, Picasso Art, combines geometry concepts and art concepts to teach students about Picasso’s theory of cubism. It is now available to all Idaho teachers through Schoolnet, the statewide instructional management system.

For winning the grand prize in each category, these teachers will receive a financial award of between $300 and $1,000 to use in their classroom as well as a free virtual field trip for their students on the Idaho Education Network. The State Department of Education also awarded several finalists in each category.

In addition to these awards, five other Idaho educators were recognized with Idaho Education Network (IEN) Talk Awards for using the Idaho Education Network in their school or district to provide greater learning opportunities to students. 

• College Access Champion: Amanda Hansen, a teacher at West Side High School. She earned the award for using the IEN to promote college preparation through SAT and ACT preparation classes.

• Rookie of the Year: Luci Asumendi-Mereness, Principal of Homedale High School. She earned the award for championing the use of IEN classes to fill gaps in core curriculum, offer electives and get those hard-to-find classes for students in Homedale.

• Most Valuable Player: Dale Garrard, a teacher at Centennial High School in Joint School District No. 2 (Meridian). As the Lead Teacher of World Languages at Centennial High, Mr. Garrard, teaches Japanese over the IEN to the entire Meridian School District!

• IEN Innovation: Idaho Distance Education Academy. This school earned the award for its innovative, distinctive use of the IEN to hold virtual sessions to supplement its curriculum.

• IEN Achievement Award: Dr. John Miller, Instructional Dean at the College of Southern Idaho. This award honors one exceptional education professional for outstanding promotion or use of the IEN. He earned this award for CSI’s outstanding use of the IEN to offer dual credit courses to high school students. Students have earned 2,200 dual credits from CSI through the Idaho Education Network.

The Idaho State Department of Education also unveiled its new Next Practices website, a place where Idaho educators can see innovative ideas and practices happening in other schools and districts across the state.

The Next Practices website captures some these “next practices” and will continue to update with more in the coming months and years. We encourage you to visit this and see some of the great things that are happening across Idaho today: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/nextPractices/.

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