Although Superintendent Tom Luna, Gov. Butch Otter, and for-profit online class vendors would like to see Idaho students take as many online classes as possible, the State Board of Education will have the final say, and the matter could be on the agenda as the board meets June 22-23 in Twin Falls.
Members of the public have the right to address the State Board but must sign up to do so at least two days ahead of time. Because the “open forum” portion of this meeting will be held shortly after the meeting starts the morning of Thursday, June 23, people have until Tuesday morning, June 21, to sign up.
Are you interested in speaking to the board about the online course rule? Fill out this form and email it to board@osbe.idaho.gov or fax it to (208) 334-2632 by Tuesday morning, June 21. Be sure to review these guidelines on speaking to the board. Speakers will have no more than five minutes.
The online class requirement was among the main topics discussed at the technology task force meeting. Two things became apparent: Idaho districts face bureaucratic hurdles against using locally grown consortiums to fulfill the online course mandates, and promoters of digital education including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush view Idaho as the national proving ground to push students toward taking classes online. Read coverage from the Idaho Statesman and the Spokesman-Review.
If you can't make it to the meeting, you can submit written comments to the board via the same contact information above. Include your name.
