GRANTS FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS NOW AVAILABLE

The State Department of Education will award $1.5 million in grants to fund afterschool programs across the state for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year. Now is the time for school districts and other organizations to apply. 

The funding is available through the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, which is designed to provide academic enrichment opportunities, art, music, recreation, sports, drug and violence prevention and youth development activities to students during non-school hours.  The State Department of Education currently funds 93 afterschool centers throughout Idaho, which serve a total of 6,128 Idaho youth daily.

“Afterschool programs funded through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program in Idaho have a long history of supporting the academic success of students outside of the school day,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “These programs are ideal settings to help better prepare students for the new, more rigorous Idaho Core Standards and give them the support and guidance they need to graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce.”

School districts, municipalities, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations and private corporations are eligible for these grants. Successful applicants will receive funding for up to five years.

Those considering applying for funding are strongly encouraged to attend a Bidder’s Workshop. The following workshops are open to any interested party: 

• Monday, November 4: Moscow, Best Western Plus, 1516 Pullman Road
• Thursday, November 14: Twin Falls, Canyon Ridge High School, 300 N College Road, Room 301 
• Friday, November 15: Idaho Falls, Compass Academy Facility, 955 Garfield Street
• Tuesday, November 19: New Plymouth High School Library, 207 S Plymouth Avenue 
• Wednesday, November 20: Boise, Dennis Technical Education Center, 8201 W Victory Road

All workshops will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. All workshops are free. Visit our website to register for the workshops or to download the grant application. Participants are expected to download and review the application prior to the workshop. Grant applications are due January 31, 2014.

If you need more information please contact Camille McCashland, Program Specialist, at (208) 332-6960.

STUDENTS CAN APPLY NOW FOR IDAHO SCIENCE & AEROSPACE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Idaho’s high school juniors can apply now to take part in Idaho’s Science and Aerospace Scholars Program. This will be the fifth year of this innovative program!

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

“Now in its fifth year, more and more Idaho students are seeing the great benefit of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “Through a blend of digital and face-to-face learning, Idaho’s high school juniors are able to gain a deeper understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and hands-on experience working with experts in these fields.”

Each year, nearly 200 students take the rigorous online course, developed by Idaho Digital Learning Academy and NASA Johnson Space Center, and then take part in Capstone Celebrations at different sites across the state. Based on their work in the course, about half of these students go on to be selected to participate in the Summer Academy held at Boise State University and at the NASA Ames Research Center in California.

The Idaho State Department of Education with the support of NASA Aerospace Scholars, along with Idaho business, industry, and education partners, have teamed up to provide this exciting opportunity for Idaho high school juniors over the years.

Superintendent Luna and astronaut and Boise State Distinguished Educator-in-Residence Barbara Morgan originally created the program in 2009 by working together to provide seed money from the State Department of Education and in-kind donations from partner organizations. For the past three years, the program was funded through a $1.2 million grant from NASA. Superintendent Luna has requested $500,000 next year to continue this program.

If you know of any high school juniors who have a passion for STEM subjects, please urge them to apply for this outstanding program. The application deadline is December 9, 2013. To apply, download the application and instructions.

If you have questions during the application process, please contact Peter Kavouras at (208) 332-6975 or pgkavouras@sde.idaho.gov.

IDAHO SOPHOMORES SET TO TAKE PSAT NEXT WEEK

Nearly 20,000 sophomores across Idaho are set to take the first-ever statewide administration of the PSAT on Wednesday, October 16.

The Legislature provided funding this year so sophomores in Idaho’s public schools could voluntarily take the PSAT to help better prepare for college, career and a college entrance exam in their junior year. This builds on the successful Idaho SAT School Day, which provides every junior in Idaho’s public schools the opportunity to take the SAT paid for by the state.

Research has shown that students who take the PSAT perform better on a college entrance exam. Idaho students in the graduating class of 2013 who took the PSAT scored 213 more points on the SAT compared to their peers who did not participate in the PSAT.

By now, PSAT Student Guides have been distributed to all public high schools so every student has the opportunity to read test instructions, try sample problems, and understand basic testing strategies before sitting down to take the test. Educators should consider distributing PSAT Student Guides in English and mathematics classes and encouraging students to complete practice exercises.

By working with the Student Guide, students can become more familiar with the PSAT. It also helps students master testing strategies, such as, Will I get penalized for a wrong answer? The answer is yes, there is a small penalty for wrong answers on the PSAT. Therefore, if students do not know the correct answer, the best strategy is to guess if you can eliminate one or two answer choices. Otherwise, leave the question blank.

Results from the PSAT will be released in December. At that time, teachers and students will receive detailed feedback on each student’s academic content knowledge and critical thinking skills in three subject areas: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing.

Schools can use these results to help place students in courses for the next school year and better prepare them to take the SAT in the spring of their junior year.

The hard copy PSAT Student Guide is provided by the high school and includes a full-length PSAT practice test. Electronic copies of the PSAT Student Guide also are available online if you have not yet received one at school.

Best of luck to all Idaho sophomores next week!

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. The workshop will be held October 24-25, 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. Changes to Idaho’s Charter School law and the impact to the development process will be covered during the workshop.

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, 2^nd floor, Boise. Registration starts at 7:45 a.m. All participants will receive charter start resource materials to use when developing their charter.

The deadline to register is Wednesday, October 16, 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, mtaylor@sde.idaho.gov . The registration form is available athttp://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/charter_schools/.

If you need more information, please visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/charter_schools/

CENTURYLINK TO AWARD $50,000 IN TECHNOLOGY GRANTS TO IDAHO TEACHERS

Idaho teachers can apply for up to $50,000 in grants from the CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation to fund innovative technology projects. This is the tenth year the Idaho State Department of Education has partnered with CenturyLink to fund classroom technology projects across the state.

“Every year, Idaho’s teachers develop innovative ways to engage students and raise academic achievement through the use of technology. I am proud the Idaho State Department of Education has been able to partner with CenturyLink to provide more than $650,000 in grants to Idaho teachers over the past decade,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.

Last year, grants funded classroom technology to create time-lapsed videos in a science class, laptops and robotic sets in an elementary school, and digital cameras and other tools to help students create video textbooks, among other innovative projects.

“With technology now such a normal part of our everyday lives, teachers are constantly finding new and creative ways to use technology in their classrooms,” CenturyLink Idaho Vice President and General Manager Jim Schmit said. “This is a great opportunity for CenturyLink to help by identifying some of those teachers, recognizing them for their innovation, and supporting them with financial assistance to expand their use of technology even further.”

The Idaho State Department of Education began accepting applications today. Teachers have until January 10, 2014 to apply for the grants. Grants will be awarded in April 2014. 

All Pre-K-12 public and private school teachers who teach in a CenturyLink service area are eligible to apply.

If you are a teacher in the following areas, we strongly encourage you to apply: American Falls, Bancroft, Bellevue, Blackfoot, Bliss, Boise, Bruneau, Burley, Buhl, Caldwell, Castleford, Cottonwood, Craigmont, Culdesac, Declo, Dayton, Dietrich, Downey, Eagle, Eden, Emmett, Franklin, Firth, Glenns Ferry, Gooding, Grace, Grandview, Grangeville, Grasmere, Greenleaf, Hagerman, Hailey, Hammett, Hansen, Hazelton, Heyburn, Idaho City, Idaho Falls, Inkom, Jerome, Kamiah, Ketchum, Kimberly, Kooskia, Kuna, Lapwai, Lava Hot Springs, Leadore, Lewiston, Lewisville, McCammon, Menan, Melba, Meridian, Middleton, Montpelier, Mountain Home, Murphy, Murtaugh, Nampa, New Plymouth, Nez Perce, North Fork, Notus, Picabo, Payette, Placerville, Pocatello, Preston, Rexburg, Richfield, Riddle, Rigby, Ririe, Riverside, Roberts, Salmon, Shelley, Shoshone, Soda Springs, Star, Sugar City, Sun Valley, Thatcher, Twin Falls, Weiser, Wendell and Winchester.

For more information or to apply, please visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/tech_services/grants_contracts.htm.

SUPERINTENDENT LUNA REQUESTS 6% INCREASE FOR IDAHO PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today he is requesting a 5.9 percent increase in state general funds for Idaho’s public schools for fiscal year 2015, which will fund the 2014-2015 school year. The increase covers the first year of implementation of the Task Force for Improving Education’s recommendations, as well as other key initiatives and programs for Idaho’s K-12 public schools.

“This is a prudent, responsible budget that outlines just the first year of a multi-year plan to improve Idaho’s public schools through implementation of the Task Force for Improving Education’s recommendations,” Superintendent Luna said. “With these changes, implemented as a comprehensive package, we can ensure every student not only graduates from high school but graduates prepared to go on to postsecondary education or the workforce without the need for remediation.”

Every year, state agencies are required to submit budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year to the Governor and Legislature at the beginning of September. Superintendent Luna asked for an extension so he could incorporate the Task Force recommendations into his FY2015 budget request.

The Task Force recommendations include moving to a mastery-based system of education, broad support for the implementation of higher academic standards, increased technology to bridge the digital divide, a career ladder compensation plan for teachers, and restoration of operational funding for Idaho school districts, among others.

Here are the highlights of Superintendent Luna’s request for a 5.9 percent increase in state general funds for Idaho’s public schools in FY2015:

Teacher Pay:

The budget proposes $42.5 million in new funding to implement the first year of a new career ladder compensation model for Idaho’s teachers. The Task Force developed this career ladder, which combines competitive salaries for teachers with incentives, rewards and accountability. The system will be tied to a revised system of state licensure. A technical advisory committee will continue to work on the details of implementation of the career ladder model for Idaho.

Once the plan is fully implemented, a beginning teacher in Idaho will make $40,000 a year and can continue to earn salary increases based on experience, performance and other factors.

Operational Funding:

The budget proposes $16.5 million to restore the first year of operational funding, or discretionary funding, for local school districts. This begins the Task Force recommendation to restore operational funding that was reduced from school district budget during the recession. Districts use this funding to pay for utilities, health care and other costs at the district level. 

Advanced Opportunities: 

The budget proposes $5 million in additional funding to expand dual credit, Advanced Placement and other advanced opportunities for high school students. This will build upon the current Dual Credit for Early Completers Program, 8-in-6 and other statewide programs to fulfill the Task Force recommendation for Advanced Opportunities.

Professional Development:

The budget proposes $12.2 million in continued funding for professional development for Idaho’s teachers. This line item continues funding spent at the state level to provide professional development on the Idaho Core Standards this school year and also continues to provide an estimated $8 million to local school districts to buy professional development days for teachers. This helps fulfill the Task Force recommendation for Ongoing Job-Embedded Professional Learning.

The budget also proposes $300,000 in continued funding for administrative evaluations and an additional $250,000 to provide master calendar training to assist school administrators in creating time for job-embedded professional development and collaboration among teachers. These budget line items help fulfill the Task Force recommendation for Training and Development of School Administrators, Superintendents, and School Boards, and for Job-Embedded Collaboration/Professional Development and Site-Based Collaboration, respectively. 

Technology:

The budget proposes $13.4 million in continued funding for classroom technology. Of this funding, more than $8 million is distributed directly to local school districts to spend on integrating technology in the classroom, and $2.25 million is spent at the state level to provide a wireless infrastructure as well as support and maintenance for that infrastructure in every public high school. The remaining $3 million has been set aside for technology pilot projects in Idaho’s public schools.  

School Safety and Security:

The budget proposes $2.75 million in funding for Safe- and Drug-Free School Programs. Of this, $2.2 million will be distributed to local school districts to invest in Safe- and Drug-Free School Programs at the local level. The remainder will be used at the state level to support Idaho’s schools and districts and to implement the recommendations of the School Safety and Security Task Force.

Continued Work:

The budget proposes $300,000 for technical advisory committees and a student advisory committee to continue work on the Task Force recommendations. Several recommendations, such as the Career Ladder and Mastery-Based System, will require additional work before they can be fully implemented.

Superintendent Luna met with representatives of the Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Association of School Administrators, Idaho Education Association, Northwest Professional Educators and other stakeholder groups before submitting his proposed budget today.

This budget request will now go to the Governor’s office for consideration. The Governor will present his budget request to the Idaho Legislature in January. The Legislature will set the budget for fiscal year 2015 early next year. Fiscal year 2015 begins July 1, 2014. 

IDAHO OUTPACES NATION IN STUDENTS TAKING SAT

Idaho outpaced the nation in the percentage of students taking the SAT, a college entrance exam.

The state began offering the SAT to all high school juniors at no cost to their families in Spring 2012. Today, the College Board, which administers the SAT, released nationwide results for the Class of 2013, showing Idaho as one of only three states that provides every student with the opportunity to take the SAT college entrance exam before they graduate from high school. Maine and Delaware are the other two states that test all students on the SAT.

Idaho’s first-ever SAT School Day was administered in April 2012 to more than 16,000 high school juniors, the graduating Class of 2013.

Those graduates are the first cohort of students who completed the more rigorous graduation requirements adopted by the State Board of Education in 2008. These additional requirements included three years of math, including math during the senior year, three years of science, a senior project and the college entrance exam.  This cohort’s data is publicized in the College Board’s national report released today and can be compared with students in other states.

This school year, the number of high school juniors in Idaho’s public schools participating in Idaho’s SAT School Day increased to more than 17,000.

“Through Idaho SAT School Day, we are offering all high school students equal access to an unprecedented opportunity to take a college entrance exam at no cost to them or their families. Few states offer this to their students, and I am proud Idaho has made it available to every junior in public high school,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “In addition to offering the SAT, the state also is providing students with the support they need to better prepare for postsecondary education and the workforce by raising our academic standards, giving high school sophomores the chance to take the PSAT voluntarily, and incentivizing students to take AP exams or dual credit courses before they graduate.”

“Ensuring that high school graduates are college and career ready is a critical first step to meeting the State Board’s goal to see that 60 percent of Idaho citizens between the ages of 25-34 attain a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2020,” said Don Soltman, President of the Idaho State Board of Education. “Providing students with the opportunity to take a college entrance exam helps them identify areas where they need additional preparation.”

Idaho students must take a college entrance exam – either the SAT or ACT – before they graduate from high school, and the SAT is paid for by the state. The results of the exams are used by the state and local school districts to help better prepare students for postsecondary education and the workforce.

In the first year of the statewide SAT, about one in four Idaho students met college- and career-ready benchmarks set by the SAT. Students in Maine and Delaware had similar average scores compared to students in Idaho. In Idaho, the average score for the Class of 2013 was 451 in critical reading, 456 in mathematics and 449 in writing. A score of 500 in each subject area has shown a student will be successful in postsecondary education after high school.

In Idaho, the state has put additional resources in place to help teachers prepare students to meet college- and career-ready benchmarks before they graduate from high school. In 2011, the state adopted the Common Core State Standards as Idaho’s Core Standards in mathematics and English language arts. The higher academic standards are being implemented this school year across all grades to ensure every student graduates from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education.

The Idaho Legislature also approved additional funding this year to provide every high school sophomore the opportunity to take the PSAT. Scores from the PSAT will aid districts in determining the appropriate course or Advanced Placement (AP) options for those students who participate. In turn, when acted on appropriately, schools can use PSAT data to help increase SAT scores the following year.

Learn more about Idaho SAT School Day for high school juniors or the how sophomores can voluntarily take the PSAT.