The work has only just begun if Idaho intends to implement the 21 recommendations made by the governor’s Task Force for Improving Education, said superintendent Tom Luna.
He wants to name six advisory committees, including a student-filled committee, to hash out the details for making sweeping changes to K-12 education. His 2014-15 proposed budget funds the expenses of the committee work at $300,000, a small slice of a $1.4 billion education budget unveiled on Tuesday.
“We need a lot of stakeholders to be involved and support,” said Luna. “This is to continue the work of the task force.”
It took 31 education experts and business and community leaders most of a year to brainstorm and vet 21 recommendations that range from a drastic changes to teacher pay to a major overhaul of the school funding system. The recommendations lack detail and require additional work by advisory committees, Luna said. Each of the six committees would get $50,000 to facilitate meetings and pay for things like tools, travel and help from experts.
Here are the committees Luna would like to establish:
- Mastery-Based System (study a structural change to Idaho’s funding formula)
- Literacy Proficiency (students must master literacy before moving on to content learning)
- Accountability Structure (create a system based on student outcomes instead of compliance mandates)
- Statewide Electronic Collaboration System (equal access to learning tools)
- Career Ladder Compensation Model (will include work on tiered licensure and mentoring)
- Student advisory
“I’m amazed at what I learn from children, especially how they use technology,” Luna said.
The titles for the advisory committees came from the task force recommendations. Luna has not named committee members or established procedures and expectations.
