Voices

The state is changing the name of next year’s standardized test from SBAC to ISAT 2.0. Why? It’s not useful to imply that they are equivalent in an atmosphere in which excessive confusion and misinformation already exists regarding the transition from one exam to another.

Three economists agree that public education has to get smart about spending in a reality where the status quo does not measure up.

Public schools in Idaho and across the nation should not be expected to do the impossible, nor should they be condemned when they fail the impossible.

Tying federal dollars to the test results of special education students is reckless and will not improve learning. “It puts our most vulnerable students in the crosshairs of political brinkmanship.”

If breaking a key tenet of a school’s charter is allowed in the name of raising high stakes test scores, then the charter school movement is dead. Public charter schools have been assimilated into the regular public school system Borg.

Add play time, field trips, parties, technology and documentaries to the curriculum.

Democratic candidates are focused on the prosperity of children and their education, families, businesses and communities.

Not only are families and students able to choose the schools that work best for them, but kids are accessing individual courses and programs within and beyond the schools that help them maximize their educational potential. It also provides new pathways for increased numbers of students to leave high school ready for college or well-paying jobs.

Committee co-chairs hire lawyers, at a budget-blowing price, after our very competent Attorney General’s Office had already studied case law and offered advice.

My hope is that our task force efforts do not become just another failed initiative but can transcend the politics of the moment.