Rep. Thayn Introduces Kindergarten Bill

Boise, Idaho: Rep. Steven Thayn of the Idaho house introduced a bill today in the House Education Committee that would reform the current state kindergarten program. The bill would do two things of interest to legislators again beset by budget shortfalls. First, reduce kindergarten spending by 2/3 saving the state $33 million. Thayn said: "$33 million would fill ½ of the public school portion of the budget shortfall without reducing teachers' salaries or programs in grades 1-12.” Second, the bill would allow administrators, the State Department of Education, parents, legislators, and teachers to reevaluate the current kindergarten system and goals.

The present kindergarten system provides 36 weeks of instruction for all children. His proposal would give school districts flexibility in how much kindergarten they may offer. Some may offer as little as three weeks to students that already have the skills necessary to succeed in first grade while offering up to 36 weeks to other students that do not have the necessary skills. His proposal would allow for much smaller classrooms for at-risk students and allow them to receive more individualize attention.

Rep. Thayn sees the need to increase the number of engaged, motivated learners in school which would reduce teacher stress. Thayn believes that the number of students receiving A's and B's is increasing indicating many of our better students are not being sufficiently challenged while the number of D's and F's are also increasing indicating a feeling of disenfranchisement that many student and parents are feeling with the current system. Thayn believes that this issue needs to be addressed starting in kindergarten.

Thayn advocates a concentrated effort on the part of the school system to include parents of at-risk students, try to make them feel respected and valued by bringing them into the classroom, and help them feel comfortable working with the teacher. Establishing this strong relationship could result in long-term benefits, according to Thayn.

The bill was introduced today in the House Education Committee and can be found on the legislative website on Wednesday.
Rep. Steven Thayn is in his third term in the Idaho House from Emmett, Idaho.
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