Education Reform in Idaho

by Senator Brent Hill

Even before Governor Otter and Superintendent Luna rolled out the details of their education reform plan, critics were attacking it from every direction. Some people are so suspicious of Mr. Luna and the Idaho Legislature that they refuse to consider that any changes they propose might actually improve our children’s education and that their concerns might easily be resolved with some cooperation.

One such concern is the idea of providing ninth graders with access to laptop computers. To listen to the naysayers, such access will lead to the abolition of teachers, degenerate students hooked on pornography, and the end of human communication skills. I too have some concerns over how the technology will be managed, but it was never intended that computers would replace teachers. They can, however, supplement good teachers and make them even more effective. The education reform bill encourages flexibility for local school districts in the way technology enhancements will be implemented. For example, computers may be checked out of the library like textbooks are now, where they can be accounted for, maintained, updated with Internet filters, and even monitored for inappropriate activity on the computer.

Some are concerned about exposing students to online classes, which are defined in the bill as courses that deliver “a sequential program of . . . instruction primarily through the use of technology, in which the instructor is not physically located at the school or place in which the student is receiving instruction.” These online courses will greatly enhance a student’s choice of subjects, especially in rural schools where specialty teachers are not available and Internet connections are not usually required. Experience with online courses will also provide students with an advantage as they continue their education at the university, almost all of which require online coursework.

Others are afraid that children with developmental disabilities will be forced to suffer through online courses, but the bill clearly states that “the state board of education may provide for appropriate exemptions from this requirement, by rule.”

These are not experimental programs. They have been successfully implemented in other states, and where they have been less successful, modifications have been made to make them more practicable.

Superintendent Luna’s plan is not perfect, nor is the current way we are doing things. I am convinced that we have some of the most talented and dedicated teachers in the nation, but we must continue to be resourceful and innovative—always seeking ways to help those educators enhance the learning experience of our children.

The education reform bills are now available on line at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/studentsComeFirst/. As you review the legislation yourself, compare the opportunities it offers students vs. the limitations they now face:

• teaching students to utilize technology in a learning environment vs. having them ill-equipped to compete in an ever-advancing world of technology;
• providing online classes from a large and growing variety of curriculum choices vs. even larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, and students unfamiliar with how to take online courses required by almost all universities;
• offering dual credit courses that qualify for both high school and college credit vs. fewer students going on to college because they feel inadequate and must start from scratch;
• phasing out tenure while still protecting existing teachers vs. allowing some of our children to be taught by unskilled, unmotivated teachers difficult to remove from the system;
• compensating educators for what they accomplish vs. paying teachers the same regardless of skill, effort, dedication or effectiveness;
• allowing citizens to observe how their tax dollars are being spent vs. keeping all salary negotiations closed to the public.

These changes have the potential to greatly improve our children’s educational opportunities. We would be wise to replace doubt with determination to ensure their success.