It's day one of public testimony on the Luna bills. It's a packed house here; testimony will be taken in a pro-con, pro-con order until one list runs out. The Idaho Statesman reports that of the 105 people who have signed up to testify today, all but 14 are against the bills.
Pamela Chiarella, a teacher and parent from Mountain Home, said, “Let me first say that schools are not a for-profit venture and students are not customers.” She said kids don't need more screen time; that military academies are questioning the rigor of online classes; and that students and teachers need more face time, not less.
Colby Gull, the Challis superintendent who spoke at the JFAC hearing, is back to testify once again on behalf of the Luna plans. But he expressed reservations at the tone of the debate, noting that it feels like “this program is being viewed as being done to us, not for us.”
Bonnie Douglas, mom of two teens in the Boise schools and a Boise State prof, says she's happy with the education they've received so far. She is concerned with the possibility of less mentoring from teachers if Luna plan passes, as well as the mandate for online classes. “What college is going to look at six online classes as being the same as six strong high school classes?”
