Yesterday we referenced a report from Idaho Education News with details about Idaho’s unexpected enrollment growth and what it means in terms of the state’s education budget. In addition to the estimated 179 new support units, new figures from the governor’s office indicate that 99 more support units will need to be funded and staffed. That adds $8.5 million to the proposed education budget, including about $4 million more for the Career Ladder.
The enrollment growth also means that Idaho needs to hire more teachers in a very competitive environment. While some will say that the state needs to loosen criteria to meet growing demand, the real solution is a greater commitment to providing students with resources to maximize their educational experience. “Idaho has a high demand for high-quality teachers and we need to step up to the plate and commit to recruiting and hiring those teachers,” says IEA President Penni Cyr. “Short-cuts and run-arounds will do a disservice to our children and our communities.”
Early Work from IEA & Other Stakeholders Helps Streamline Rule-making
The House and Senate Education Committees continued their annual process of reviewing rules for language changes on Thursday. While the process is still somewhat tedious, the efforts of the Idaho Education Association and other education stakeholders over the summer have allowed for a less-contentious, more efficient process during the legislative session. The IEA participated in a negotiated rule-making process during the “off season” that got much of the work done on the front end. Credit to the legislators and policy-makers for seeking out input from the IEA and other stakeholders in a timely and meaningful manner.
Legislation Would Clarify “Teacher-leaders” Status on Career Ladder
The State Board of Education has proposed legislation to ensure that professional “mentors or “teacher-leaders” who work with Idaho teachers are included on the state’s Career Ladder. SBOE spokesman Blake Youde indicated that the intent all along has been for this personnel group to be included on the Career Ladder, and RS24872 simply modifies language to clarify that intent.
Women’s Marches Around the Country on Saturday, Including in Boise
Tens of thousands will be marching in Washington, DC on Saturday, with “sister marches” in cities all around the country. A day after the inauguration of a new president, the marches are designed to give voice to women’s rights and support others who may be vulnerable under the new administration. A program featuring guest speakers and entertainment is scheduled for Saturday morning. Click here for the official website of the Women’s March on Washington.
Seven Idaho cities, including Boise, are holding “sister marches” on Saturday. Several thousand people are expected to attend in Boise, with the march at the state Capitol starting at 10:00 AM MT. The Idaho Statesman has more details on the marches in Idaho, and Boise State Public Radio has an interview with two of the organizers.
