Voices

Parents must take the lead in creating a culture where higher education is valued – and expected.

The Idaho Education Association supports the implementation of the Idaho Core Standards (commonly known as Common Core) as long as a proper support system is in place.

Districts would benefit from having greater flexibility in the use of funds from the state. Accountability should still be an important part of this flexibility.

Early years are the most important for establishing a foundation that will sustain long-term learning gains. Three quarters of students who are poor readers in third grade remain poor readers in high school.

Common Core doesn’t get us where we need to be. Homogenization and standardization of education is not the answer.

Bipartisan support for improving schools with Common Core State Standards hasn’t come without criticism, and the naysayers are growing. Ask Idaho educators what they think.

Life-long educator says there is no hidden mystery to improving education. We already know what will improve schools; it’s simply a matter of doing it.

Teachers should encourage and school boards should require elections that will result in a valid proof of majority representation before a union receives the privilege of bargaining for all teachers, both union and nonunion.

A high school teacher in Colorado, a state like Idaho that is adopting Common Core standards, argues that teachers shouldn’t miss the historic opportunity to transform teaching and learning through the Common Core.

Almost nothing has been done to address how children learn and what systemic changes we can make to improve outcomes for all kids.