Superintendent Luna Asks Idahoans to Apply for Technology Task Force

The State Department of Education is now accepting applications and nominations for anyone interested in serving on the Students Come First Technology Task Force, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today.

Under Senate Bill 1184, the Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to convene a task force to help in implementing the technology components of the Students Come First law.  Specifically, the task force will study and develop plans for the one-to-one ratio of mobile computing devices in high schools. Once the State Board of Education determines the number of online courses to graduate, the task force also will develop implementation plans for the requirement, in addition to other topics determined by the task force chairman. The Superintendent of Public Instruction will chair the task force.

“We are looking for people with an open mind and background in educational technology to help us in making these new instructional technologies a success for Idaho students and teachers,” Superintendent Luna said. “This will not be an easy task over the next year, but I know we have the talent and capability right here in Idaho to accomplish it.”

The task force will be made up of at least 28 members, 17 of whom the Superintendent will appoint. The others will be appointed by the Legislature, Office of the Governor and education stakeholder groups. 

The task force will report its findings, plans and recommendations to the House and Senate Education Committees by no later than January 31, 2012.

Here is a list of the positions the Superintendent of Public Instruction will appoint:

• 4 school district superintendents
• 2 district technology directors
• 2 secondary school principals
• 1 district business manager
• 1 head of a virtual public charter school
• 1 head of a traditional public charter school that serves grades 9-12
• 2 secondary classroom teachers
• 1 private sector education technology expert who is neither employed by, represents, nor is an agent of any entity that provides online courses or mobile computing devices
• 3 representatives of the business community

The remaining task force members will include a representative of the Office of the Governor, two members of the Idaho House, two members of the Idaho Senate, and a representative of each of the educational stakeholder groups: Idaho Education Association, Northwest Professional Educators, Idaho School Boards Association, Idaho Association of School Administrators, Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence, and Idaho Digital Learning Academy.

If you are interested in serving on the Students Come First Technology Task Force, please apply by submitting a resume and cover letter, explaining which position you are applying for and why you want to serve on the task force. You may also submit a nomination if you know someone who should serve on the task force.  Visit the Students Come First website for more details on how to apply.

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 13, 2011. The State Department of Education will announce members of the task force by the end of May.

~ Melissa M.