Idaho and Indiana Prepare for Math State Showdown

Apangea Math, a web-based adaptive math solution supporting grades 4 – 12, will host an exclusive state-duel motivational contest during the month of February to get students excited to “do” math and encourage them to have fun developing their math skills. Apangea Math will be working with 70,000 kids in both Indiana and Idaho during the math contest.


Apangea Math, the Idaho Department of Education, and the Indiana Department of Education hope to facilitate out-of-school learning; students can take advantage of anytime, anywhere access to the State Showdown to better their math skills. In last year’s contest, Apangea Math saw students work for over 60,000 hours, scoring a combined 15 million points. In the inaugural year, Indiana narrowly beat Idaho. That victory was won when Indiana’s after-school hours on the final night pulled them into the top spot.

The Superintendents of both states--Tom Luna of Idaho and Dr. Tony Bennett of Indiana--have been integral in generating buzz around the showdown. See their video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df_1MUiXaA8&NR=1&feature=endscreen, and take a look at Supt. Luna's message to Idaho students competing in the challenge here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=KrQ_uw6cB1A&feature=endscreen.
As an incentive to learn, Apangea Math will be incorporating motivational prizes during this competition. Overall state competition scoring is based on the top 20 classes (selected by average points per student) in each state plus bonus points. The state with the highest total points will be the 2012 State Showdown Champion and be awarded the coveted traveling trophy. The Most Valuable Class (MVC) will be selected for each state based on highest average lessons passed per student. The MVC will be awarded a ceremony and pizza party with state DOE/SDE, a banner and t-shirts. The next 9 classes in each state will each get a pizza party prize pack. Lastly, there will be Individual Awards to be based on lessons passed during evening/weekend time. These students will be entered to win prizes like $20 gift cards and a chance to win a $100 grand prize as well.

IDAHO SAT® SCHOOL DAY REGISTRATION BEGINS TODAY

Beginning today, high school juniors in Idaho’s public schools can register for the first-ever Idaho SAT School Day, the free, in-school college entrance exam scheduled for April 18. Sponsored by the Idaho State Department of Education and The College Board, a not-for-profit education organization, Idaho SAT School Day is designed to promote college-readiness among all students and to encourage students to start planning for educational opportunities beyond high school. Students who participate in Idaho SAT School Day will also fulfill a key state graduation requirement.

“Providing funding for every junior to take a college entrance exam is a critical piece of Students Come First. Through Idaho SAT School Day, we will help create the 21st Century Classroom and make sure every student is prepared to go on to postsecondary education after high school,” said Tom Luna, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Students can register for Idaho SAT School Day online at http://sat.org/idaho. Registration ends April 4. All Idaho public schools with 11th graders have been sent Idaho SAT School Day vouchers with printed numbers to give to the students to register. Registering is easy. Students only need four things: an e-mail account, a free College Board online account, their EDUID (State ID) number and their Idaho SAT student voucher, available from their school counselor. Every SAT registration includes up to four free score reports that can be sent to colleges and scholarship services. Registering for the SAT also enables students to participate in the College Board’s Student Search Service®, through which students can let colleges, universities and scholarship programs know they are interested in hearing from them. Students participating in the Student Search Service also have the opportunity to receive educational and financial aid information from colleges, universities and scholarship programs.

In 2007, the Legislature approved a new high school graduation requirement for all high school students to complete a college entrance exam by the end of their junior year. During the 2011 session, through the Students Come First laws, lawmakers appropriated $963,500 for students in the class of 2013 to take the SAT at no cost to the students or their families.

The SAT is a curriculum-based college entrance exam that measures the reading, math, and writing skills and knowledge students acquire during high school. The SAT also measures how well students can apply their knowledge, a factor both educators and researchers agree is critically important for success in college and beyond. Idaho conducted a competitive bid process before selecting the SAT. Reviewers selected the SAT because of its comprehensive tools for teachers and students, including a free online preparation course for students. The SAT also provides fast score reporting for students and access to online score reports.

Research has shown that taking a rigorous curriculum in high school is the best way to prepare for college, and for the SAT. To help Idaho students familiarize themselves with the SAT and prepare for Idaho SAT School Day, the Idaho State Department of Education and the College Board are providing all public school juniors with free access to The Official SAT Online Course™. Additional free and low-cost SAT practice tools and resources, including a free, full-length practice test and The Official SAT Question of the Day™ are available at http://sat.collegeboard.org/.

Superintendent Luna Listens to Public Testimony on Budget Today

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna attended most of the public hearings held by the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee today.

Hundreds of Idahoans turned out to voice their opinion on the state’s budget. The vast majority testified about Medicaid and Health and Welfare. Four people testified about public education.

In the remarks about education, the testimony varied. Penni Cyr, the President of the Idaho Education Association, said she was glad Superintendent Luna’s budget proposal offsets any reduction in salary-based apportionment for teachers and administrators next year. She would like to see these offsets continue in future fiscal years.

Briana LeClaire of the Idaho Freedom Foundation asked the Legislature to expand choice in Idaho’s education system.

“Thank you to everyone who came out to testify and voice their opinion today,” Superintendent Luna said. "This is an important part of the republic we live in where everyone has not just the privilege but the right to be heard.”

Indiana Superintendent Praises Students Come First Reforms

Tony Bennett, the State Superintendent of Indiana, was in Boise today speaking with families from across Idaho about education reform and expanding choice in public education.

Last year, Indiana also passed comprehensive education reform laws. Some of them were similar to what was passed here in Idaho through Students Come First.

The Idaho Coalition of Charter School Families invited Dr. Bennett to speak at a rally on the Statehouse steps to promote the lifting of the cap on public charter schools in Idaho.

Currently, under Idaho law, only six new charter schools can open per year. The Coalition, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, the Idaho State Board of Education, the Idaho Public Charter School Commission, several legislators and others support lifting the cap.

Right now, Idaho has 43 public charter schools statewide and about 8,000 students on a waiting list to attend a public charter school. 

In his remarks to the crowd of hundreds of students, parents and legislators, Dr. Bennett recognized Idaho as a leader in reform across the country.

“When it comes to education reform, the I’s have it. And that is Idaho and Indiana,” Dr. Bennett said. “There are very few, if any, superintendents in the United States who have done for the children of their state what Tom Luna has done for the children of your state.

“I applaud the fact that Idaho is among the nation’s leaders in recognizing and rewarding great teaching because there is nothing more important in the life of a child, besides that child’s parents, than an inspired and an inspiring teacher,” Bennett continued. “To all our teachers today who are here, thank you for doing great work.”

IDAHO CELEBRATES DIGITAL LEARNING DAY

February 1 is Digital Learning Day in Idaho and across the country. The Idaho State Department of Education, in partnership with the Alliance for Excellent Education, is celebrating innovative teaching across Idaho and highlighting practices that make learning more personalized and engaging for students.

“Digital learning is a critical piece of the 21st Century Classroom. As we have expanded access to digital learning in the classroom through Students Come First, teachers now can individualize instruction for all students and make sure ensure every child is on a path to graduate from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education or the workforce,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter declared February 1, 2012 as Digital Learning Day in Idaho.

Across the country, 37 states are participating in Digital Learning Day in some way. On this day and throughout the year, the state will work with Idaho teachers and parents to explore how digital learning can provide all students with opportunities to build the skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education, a career, and throughout life.

Through the passage of Students Come First education reform laws, Idaho is providing students and families with more choices than ever in public education. The state has expanded digital learning opportunities in the classroom, such as access to digital content, interactive technologies, and the Idaho Education Network.

All education stakeholders – districts, schools, teachers, students, librarians, parents, and business and community partners –are encouraged to register to participate in Digital Learning Day activities at http://www.digitallearningday.org/.

By signing up now, participating schools and teachers will have access to targeted toolkits outlining ideas and ways to plan their Digital Learning Day celebration, as well as updates, informational videos, webinars, and other resources.

As the host of Digital Learning Day in Idaho, Governor Otter, Superintendent Luna and the staff at the State Department of Education will honor educators who are using innovation to make a difference for students.

Idaho will continue to reach out and highlight resources that support the goals of and participation in Digital Learning Day and encourages the sharing of ideas, creative lessons, and resources with others across the state and country with several opportunities.

Here is a list of opportunities for students and teachers:

• The State Department of Education is excited to announce the launch of a yearlong statewide lesson plan award to showcase innovative practices in the classroom. The Department will award more than $108,000 in gift certificates over the course of a year from March until February of next year to teachers who develop exemplary lesson plans across all academic subjects and grades. The best examples will be showcased in the statewide instructional management system, known as Schoolnet, which provides lesson planning tools and access to Idaho’s content standards online. More information on this contest is available online at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/digitalLearning/.

• In addition, the Department is distributing $6,000 in lesson plan awards specifically for visual arts teachers who create lessons aligned with Idaho content standards that infuse technology and student art work. These will be displayed at the State Department of Education Art Gallery at artsonia.com. Superintendent Luna will be giving a special Superintendent’s Award for exemplary student art. More information will be announced by the end of February 2012 regarding this program.

• The Department will host an Instructional Technology Showcase. Schools, libraries, community programs, and classrooms are invited to showcase how they are using digital media and lessons to improve teaching and learning. The Department is looking for ideas and exemplars to display on the Department website in the near future. To learn more, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/InstructionalTechnologyShowcaseApplicant.

For more information on these opportunities and Digital Learning Day in Idaho, visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/digitalLearning/.

DEPARTMENT RELEASES 2011 YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY

The Idaho State Department of Education released the results of the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey today, showing improvement in several areas including physical violence.

“We are pleased to see less physical violence among students across Idaho,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “However, we still see some areas of concern including the use of illegal substances and the number of students considering suicide. We must work to solve these problems in our schools and communities. No student is free to learn until they are free from intimidation and fear.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to survey behaviors among youth related to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among both youth and adults and to assess how these risk behaviors change over time.

The YRBS measures behaviors that fall into six behavior categories that result in: (1) unintentional and intentional injuries; (2) tobacco use; (3) alcohol and other drug use; (4) sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancies; (5) dietary behaviors; and (6) physical activity.

The 2011 Idaho YRBS was administered to more than 1,700 students in 48 randomly selected public high schools in Idaho during Spring 2011.

Here are some of the highlights of the 2011 YRBS results in Idaho:

• The percentage of students who were in a physical fight one or more times during the past 12 months decreased from 29 percent in 2009 to 26.4 percent in 2011.

• The percentage of students who were ever hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the past 12 months decreased from 10.6 percent in 2009 to 8.7 percent in 2011.

• The percentage of students who used methamphetamines one or more times during their life remained about flat at 3.2 percent in 2011, compared to 3.1 percent in 2009. This is a significant decrease from 6.4 percent in 2007.

• The percentage of students who seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months increased from 14.2 percent in 2009 to 15.4 percent in 2011.

• The percentage of students who used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days increased from 13.7 percent in 2009 to 18.8 percent in 2011.

To view the full results of the 2011 YRBS, visit http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/csh/ and click on the “Resources/Data” tab near the bottom of the page.

Superintendent Luna Reviews Work of Technology Task Force

On Tuesday, January 31, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna presented an update on Students Come First and the work of the Technology Task Force to the Joint House and Senate Education Committees. The following are Superintendent Luna’s prepared remarks for the update on the work of the Technology Task Force. A full list of recommendations is available on the Students Come First website.

With this, I will now turn to the Technology Task Force Report.

I will provide a brief background on the Technology Task Force and then turn the time over to each of the Subcommittee Chairs who are here today to report on the recommendations that this Task Force unanimously approved in December.

Let me quickly introduce each of the Subcommittee Chairs:

·         Rep. Reed DeMordaunt led the One-to-One Governance and Instructional Integration Subcommittee.

·         Stefani Cook, Idaho’s 2011 Teacher of the Year, led the Classroom Technology Integration Subcommittee.

·         Jayson Ronk of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, led the Platform, Specifications, and Procurement Subcommittee.

·         Andy Grover, superintendent of the Melba School District, led the Online Learning Implementation Subcommittee.

As part of the Students Come First laws, we created a task force to study and develop plans for the successful implementation of the technology components of these laws and directed me to report back on the Task Force’s work by January 31, 2012.  

You each have a copy of the full, written report.

Under the law, the Task Force had to be made up of at least 28 members, 17 of which I could appoint and 11 of which were appointed by educational stakeholder groups, the Idaho Legislature, and the Office of the Governor.

Since we wanted to ensure we had a wide range of experienced perspectives, I expanded the membership of the Task Force to include parents, school board trustees, and more classroom teachers.

In May, I asked people from across Idaho to apply if they were interested in participating on the Task Force. 

I appointed Task Force members based on their experience, willingness to work together and the perspective they could bring to the table. 

The Task Force included school district superintendents, district technology directors, secondary school principals, a district business manager, a head of a virtual public charter school, a head of a traditional public charter school that serves grades 9-12, secondary classroom teachers, representatives of the business community, school board trustees, parents, and at-large community members.

12 educators served on the Task Force, 4 of whom currently serve as classroom teachers.

You can see from the next slide, the Task Force also included the following groups:  

In June, 38 individuals came together with different ideas, attitudes and opinions about education reform in Idaho.

They worked as a large Task Force together at times and also worked in subcommittees for part of the time.

They conducted site visits to states and districts that have successfully implemented 1:1 initiatives, including:  

• Maine
• Auburn, Alabama, and
• Klein, Texas

We heard other reports from experts in digital learning, teachers in Denver, professors at Boise State, and teachers right here in Idaho who have successfully integrated technology in their classrooms.

After 7 months of study and hard work, each subcommittee brought forward a series of recommendations in December.

The Task Force unanimously passed these recommendations.

With their recommendations, we now will be able to provide equal education opportunities for all Idaho students and the tools and resources Idaho teachers need to raise academic achievement.

Now, Mr. Chair, with your permission, I will turn the time over to each Subcommittee Chair to present their recommendations.