On Monday, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna provided legislators with an update on the progress of the Idaho Education Network.
The state is halfway into a three-year project of connecting every public high school and college and university to the Idaho Education Network (IEN), a high-speed, secure intranet system that gives students access to unprecedented educational opportunities. The process of connecting all schools began in Fall 2009.
Superintendent Luna presented the update on the IEN to the November meeting of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee.
At the end of September 2010, Superintendent Luna reported, 66 high schools were connected to the IEN and 73 were in the process, leaving 57 high schools remaining to be connected statewide.
The high schools that have been connected to date are from urban and rural communities in every region across Idaho. Just half-way through the project, Idaho students are already taking advantage of the many opportunities available through the IEN.
Students are taking courses never offered at their school before and earning college credits through dual credit classes.
Students in several rural high schools are now taking Calculus II from a math teacher in Meridian, for example. The number of college credits high school students have earned since the IEN rolled out last year has increased from 180 to more than 1,300 – in just one year.
Learn more about the IEN and the progress schools are making statewide.
~ Melissa M.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Albertson Foundation, Idaho Statesman Sponsor Statewide Contests for Students through 2011
For the first time in our history, according to the Lumina Foundation, this generation of students in the United States is at risk of being less educated than the generation before it.
It doesn’t mean that every citizen needs a bachelor’s degree. It simply means that our students need to go on to apprenticeships, go on to associate degrees, go on to certificates, go on to professional technical training, and go on to better jobs and a better quality of life.
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation and the Idaho Statesman are sponsoring a series of contests over the next year to draw attention to this need.
These contests are not just for students in the Treasure Valley. They are for Idaho students all across our great state.
A panel of judges will select the best essay each time around. The winner will get $275!
The Foundation and the Statesman sponsored contests throughout 2010 and will continue in 2011. They’ve already awarded $275 to three students and one Idaho teacher.
The essay contest for November is due today.
Here are the upcoming essay contests in 2011:
January 2011: “It's a New Year. Is It Your Time to Go On?”
Students who go on to college or advanced training are more likely to vote and exercise their civic rights and responsibilities. This upcoming July 4, how will you show that you are a good citizen?
February 2011: Are You a Creative Thinker?
It's important to take the tough classes and be prepared, but getting ready for post-secondary education involves a bit of creative thinking, too. Thinking outside the box can help you solve problems, boost critical thinking and make you more productive — whether you're faced with writing a poem or tackling a math problem or organizing a group volunteer effort. How are you being creative, and how is it helping you Go On?
April 2011: Choosing the Tough Option: Are You Taking the Right Classes?
It's time to register for your classes for next fall. Are you taking the easy way out or are you registering for the tough classes? Tell us about the advanced placement or math and science classes you're choosing. Why are you doing it?
May 2011: Who is Helping You Go On?
Going on to higher education or training isn't the work of just one person — everyone needs a little help to achieve their goals. Who is helping you? Is it a teacher, an older sibling, a relative, a parent or a friend? Let us know about your mentor by showing us how he or she helps you stay focused on your goals.
Check back to the Idaho Statesman for specifics on the essay contests for 2011, including upcoming deadlines.
~ Melissa M.
It doesn’t mean that every citizen needs a bachelor’s degree. It simply means that our students need to go on to apprenticeships, go on to associate degrees, go on to certificates, go on to professional technical training, and go on to better jobs and a better quality of life.
The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation and the Idaho Statesman are sponsoring a series of contests over the next year to draw attention to this need.
These contests are not just for students in the Treasure Valley. They are for Idaho students all across our great state.
A panel of judges will select the best essay each time around. The winner will get $275!
The Foundation and the Statesman sponsored contests throughout 2010 and will continue in 2011. They’ve already awarded $275 to three students and one Idaho teacher.
The essay contest for November is due today.
Here are the upcoming essay contests in 2011:
January 2011: “It's a New Year. Is It Your Time to Go On?”
Students who go on to college or advanced training are more likely to vote and exercise their civic rights and responsibilities. This upcoming July 4, how will you show that you are a good citizen?
February 2011: Are You a Creative Thinker?
It's important to take the tough classes and be prepared, but getting ready for post-secondary education involves a bit of creative thinking, too. Thinking outside the box can help you solve problems, boost critical thinking and make you more productive — whether you're faced with writing a poem or tackling a math problem or organizing a group volunteer effort. How are you being creative, and how is it helping you Go On?
April 2011: Choosing the Tough Option: Are You Taking the Right Classes?
It's time to register for your classes for next fall. Are you taking the easy way out or are you registering for the tough classes? Tell us about the advanced placement or math and science classes you're choosing. Why are you doing it?
May 2011: Who is Helping You Go On?
Going on to higher education or training isn't the work of just one person — everyone needs a little help to achieve their goals. Who is helping you? Is it a teacher, an older sibling, a relative, a parent or a friend? Let us know about your mentor by showing us how he or she helps you stay focused on your goals.
Check back to the Idaho Statesman for specifics on the essay contests for 2011, including upcoming deadlines.
~ Melissa M.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Department Extends Deadline for Students to Apply for Idaho Science & Aerospace Scholars Program
The State Department of Education has extended the deadline for Idaho high school juniors to apply for the exciting second year of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program.
Students now have until Monday, December 20, 2010 to apply!
Through the competitive Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars 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.
“The Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program and Summer Academy give Idaho students the unprecedented opportunity to work directly with experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at NASA and throughout Idaho,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.
Superintendent Luna worked with astronaut and Boise State Distinguished Educator-in-Residence Barbara Morgan in 2009 to create this competitive program in Idaho. Last year, more than 70 high school juniors participated in the inaugural year. Based on this success, the State Department of Education received a $1.2 million grant from NASA to expand the program over the next two years. The state plans to serve 180 students this year.
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 now December 20, 2010.
If you have questions during the application process, please contact Dr. Val Schorzman at the State Department of Education.
~ Melissa M.
Students now have until Monday, December 20, 2010 to apply!
Through the competitive Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars 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.
“The Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program and Summer Academy give Idaho students the unprecedented opportunity to work directly with experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at NASA and throughout Idaho,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.
Superintendent Luna worked with astronaut and Boise State Distinguished Educator-in-Residence Barbara Morgan in 2009 to create this competitive program in Idaho. Last year, more than 70 high school juniors participated in the inaugural year. Based on this success, the State Department of Education received a $1.2 million grant from NASA to expand the program over the next two years. The state plans to serve 180 students this year.
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 now December 20, 2010.
If you have questions during the application process, please contact Dr. Val Schorzman at the State Department of Education.
~ Melissa M.
PERSI Executive Director Dispels Rumors about Changes
I have to extend a huge thanks to PERSI's Executive Director Don Drum for dispelling the rumors going around that PERSI was going to move to a defined contribution plan. Before the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee today, he said once and for all, it's not true.
He also helped us dispel these rumors in our Weekly E-Newsletter last week, which goes out to all schools and districts. Here's the message from Drum that went out in our Newsletter:
Governor Otter has faced some extremely challenging budget issues in the past few years. I believe when such challenges arise you must alter well intended plans, prioritize issues and in Idaho balance the budget. The governor has worked closely with JFAC and they are leading Idaho through the challenges of the economic recession.
I have spent the summer and fall meeting with employers, legislators and members. I have also spoken with the Governor. All parties understand the value of the PERSI benefit. All parties desire to retain the benefit and sustain the PERSI fund. The PERSI fund was not immune from the economic downturn. We ended fiscal year 2009 with a 73.4% funded ratio and a $3.2 billion unfunded liability. I believe all parties were concerned about the sustainability of the fund.
Today we have experienced a very strong recovery. Our funded ratio is over 88% and our unfunded liability has dropped to just over $1.4 billion. The legislators I have spoken to are pleased with our recovery and none of them are aware of any other legislator who is working on changes to PERSI. The system is sustainable, and we believe we can achieve full funding in 3 to 5 years without benefit changes.
PERSI has an excellent working relationship with all the legislators and especially with the Governor. All parties understand the PERSI benefit is important to employers in attracting and retaining quality staff. All parties appreciate the importance of this benefit to Idaho’s public employees. We must continue to take the appropriate actions to protect the sustainability of the fund.
~ Melissa M.
He also helped us dispel these rumors in our Weekly E-Newsletter last week, which goes out to all schools and districts. Here's the message from Drum that went out in our Newsletter:
Governor Otter has faced some extremely challenging budget issues in the past few years. I believe when such challenges arise you must alter well intended plans, prioritize issues and in Idaho balance the budget. The governor has worked closely with JFAC and they are leading Idaho through the challenges of the economic recession.
I have spent the summer and fall meeting with employers, legislators and members. I have also spoken with the Governor. All parties understand the value of the PERSI benefit. All parties desire to retain the benefit and sustain the PERSI fund. The PERSI fund was not immune from the economic downturn. We ended fiscal year 2009 with a 73.4% funded ratio and a $3.2 billion unfunded liability. I believe all parties were concerned about the sustainability of the fund.
Today we have experienced a very strong recovery. Our funded ratio is over 88% and our unfunded liability has dropped to just over $1.4 billion. The legislators I have spoken to are pleased with our recovery and none of them are aware of any other legislator who is working on changes to PERSI. The system is sustainable, and we believe we can achieve full funding in 3 to 5 years without benefit changes.
PERSI has an excellent working relationship with all the legislators and especially with the Governor. All parties understand the PERSI benefit is important to employers in attracting and retaining quality staff. All parties appreciate the importance of this benefit to Idaho’s public employees. We must continue to take the appropriate actions to protect the sustainability of the fund.
~ Melissa M.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Superintendent Luna Announces Idaho's AP Scholars
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today that two Idaho students have received the College Board State AP Scholar Awards based on their outstanding performance on the 2010 Advanced Placement Exams.
Chelsea L. Merriman, a graduate of Timberline High School in Boise, and Evan S. Olson, a graduate of Capital High School in Boise, are among 109 students nationwide to receive this honor.
“It’s exciting to see Idaho students honored nationally with such a prestigious award,” said Superintendent Luna. “I’m proud of the accomplishments of Chelsea and Evan to choose to take advanced courses. Taking AP and dual credit courses are great ways for Idaho high school students to challenge themselves academically while getting a head start on college work.”
This is the 20th annual celebration of State AP Scholars. The College Board confers this distinction on the top male and female students in each U. S. state and D.C. with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams, and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.
The College Board’s AP Program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school and to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. In 2010, 3.2 million exams were taken by more than 1.8 million students at nearly 18,000 high schools. On nearly 60 percent of these exams, students received scores of 3 or higher on a five-point scale, which potentially qualifies them for credit, advanced placement or both at colleges and universities worldwide.
Merriman is now studying at Notre Dame, and Olson is studying at Harvard.
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admission, guidance, assessment, financial aid and enrollment. Among its widely recognized programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®), SpringBoard® and ACCUPLACER®. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns.
~ Melissa M.
Chelsea L. Merriman, a graduate of Timberline High School in Boise, and Evan S. Olson, a graduate of Capital High School in Boise, are among 109 students nationwide to receive this honor.
“It’s exciting to see Idaho students honored nationally with such a prestigious award,” said Superintendent Luna. “I’m proud of the accomplishments of Chelsea and Evan to choose to take advanced courses. Taking AP and dual credit courses are great ways for Idaho high school students to challenge themselves academically while getting a head start on college work.”
This is the 20th annual celebration of State AP Scholars. The College Board confers this distinction on the top male and female students in each U. S. state and D.C. with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams, and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken.
The College Board’s AP Program provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school and to earn college credit, advanced placement or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. In 2010, 3.2 million exams were taken by more than 1.8 million students at nearly 18,000 high schools. On nearly 60 percent of these exams, students received scores of 3 or higher on a five-point scale, which potentially qualifies them for credit, advanced placement or both at colleges and universities worldwide.
Merriman is now studying at Notre Dame, and Olson is studying at Harvard.
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admission, guidance, assessment, financial aid and enrollment. Among its widely recognized programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®), SpringBoard® and ACCUPLACER®. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns.
~ Melissa M.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Idaho’s Student Achievement Results Receive National Recognition
Idaho’s success in raising student achievement is being touted in a national report published this month.
The national Center on Innovation and Improvement has published Transforming a Statewide System of Support: The Idaho Story, by Brett Lane, as an example to other states on how they can improve student achievement statewide.
“Idaho’s story demonstrates the value of collaboration, commitment, and above all leadership,” said Sam Redding, Director of the Center on Innovation and Improvement. “Their energy and focus transformed the state’s approach to school improvement by building capacity at all levels. And the evidence is clear that a customer-driven focus can be a catalyst for real change.”
The case study highlights the complex nature of state-level change. By building upon internal capacity and external resources, Idaho has energetically and single-mindedly transformed how the state approached, not only its lowest-performing schools but moved toward school improvement overall in only three years, according to the Center on Innovation and Improvement. This timely transformation story highlights triggers and conditions other states can identify to advance their own improvement efforts.
“By working with educators, parents, and our hard-working students, we have been able to raise student achievement at all levels. I am excited Idaho is now a national leader and receiving recognition for its hard work and great success,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.
The Center on Innovation & Improvement is administered by the Academic Development Institute in collaboration with its partners, Temple University Center for Research in Human Development and Education and Little Planet Learning. The Academic Development Institute and its partners—Temple University Center for Research in Human Development and Education and Little Planet Learning—operate the Center on Innovation and Improvement with an experienced staff, a Scientific Council with distinguished scholars, a Leadership Council of school administrators, and technical advisors with specific expertise.
~ Melissa M.
The national Center on Innovation and Improvement has published Transforming a Statewide System of Support: The Idaho Story, by Brett Lane, as an example to other states on how they can improve student achievement statewide.
“Idaho’s story demonstrates the value of collaboration, commitment, and above all leadership,” said Sam Redding, Director of the Center on Innovation and Improvement. “Their energy and focus transformed the state’s approach to school improvement by building capacity at all levels. And the evidence is clear that a customer-driven focus can be a catalyst for real change.”
The case study highlights the complex nature of state-level change. By building upon internal capacity and external resources, Idaho has energetically and single-mindedly transformed how the state approached, not only its lowest-performing schools but moved toward school improvement overall in only three years, according to the Center on Innovation and Improvement. This timely transformation story highlights triggers and conditions other states can identify to advance their own improvement efforts.
“By working with educators, parents, and our hard-working students, we have been able to raise student achievement at all levels. I am excited Idaho is now a national leader and receiving recognition for its hard work and great success,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.
The Center on Innovation & Improvement is administered by the Academic Development Institute in collaboration with its partners, Temple University Center for Research in Human Development and Education and Little Planet Learning. The Academic Development Institute and its partners—Temple University Center for Research in Human Development and Education and Little Planet Learning—operate the Center on Innovation and Improvement with an experienced staff, a Scientific Council with distinguished scholars, a Leadership Council of school administrators, and technical advisors with specific expertise.
~ Melissa M.
Oregon Becomes Latest State to Adopt Common Core State Standards
Oregon has become the most recent state to adopt the proposed Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics.
With Oregon’s adoption of the standards, 38 states, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands have now adopted these K-12 standards. Neighboring states Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have all adopted the standards.
The Idaho State Board of Education will consider these standards at its meeting in November.
Idaho initially signed on to the Common Core State Standards Initiative in June 2009 to help develop these more rigorous, common standards in math and English language arts that are comparable with any country around the globe.
“We must ensure we build a public education system that prepares all students to be successful in life after high school. Idaho students are ready for this challenge,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.
The Common Core State Standards Initiative builds directly on previous efforts of leading organizations and states that have focused on developing college- and career-ready standards.
Adopting the common core standards is voluntary. Staff from the State Department of Education traveled across the state in June and in September hosting two series of regional public meetings to explain the Common Core State Standards and to gather feedback.
Learn more about the Common Core State Standards and how they compare to Idaho’s current standards.
~ Melissa M.
With Oregon’s adoption of the standards, 38 states, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands have now adopted these K-12 standards. Neighboring states Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have all adopted the standards.
The Idaho State Board of Education will consider these standards at its meeting in November.
Idaho initially signed on to the Common Core State Standards Initiative in June 2009 to help develop these more rigorous, common standards in math and English language arts that are comparable with any country around the globe.
“We must ensure we build a public education system that prepares all students to be successful in life after high school. Idaho students are ready for this challenge,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.
The Common Core State Standards Initiative builds directly on previous efforts of leading organizations and states that have focused on developing college- and career-ready standards.
Adopting the common core standards is voluntary. Staff from the State Department of Education traveled across the state in June and in September hosting two series of regional public meetings to explain the Common Core State Standards and to gather feedback.
Learn more about the Common Core State Standards and how they compare to Idaho’s current standards.
~ Melissa M.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
