H0123SOP.pdf (application/pdf Object): legislature.idaho.gov/legislation/2011/H0123SOP.pd...P.pdf
http://chum.ly/n/6856e7
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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.
http://chum.ly/n/681822
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.
http://chum.ly/n/681822
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Luna's Plan and smaller class size
Luna's education reform plan is causing much discussion. One of the main complaints is that class size will increase if 700 teachers were not rehired. I actually found a way to decrease class size in secondary classes with fewer teachers. Let me show you how.
1. There are going to be 2772 fewer classrooms available with 462 fewer secondary teachers.
2. There are 2497 administrators and councilors. If 2000 of them taught one class per day or monitored one online class per day this would regain 2000 of the 2772 lost classrooms leaving only 772 to make up.
3. Of the 7050 secondary teachers that will be left under Luna's plan, if 4000 of them monitored an online class during their prep period, there would actually be 3228 new classroom which would reduce class size from 18.1 to 17.9 students per teachers.
One of the points that Luna maybe trying to demonstrate is that we can and should use the human resources we have more fully. I don't think Luna is saying that we have too many teachers rather we need to utilize our resources more wisely.
http://chum.ly/n/673f71
1. There are going to be 2772 fewer classrooms available with 462 fewer secondary teachers.
2. There are 2497 administrators and councilors. If 2000 of them taught one class per day or monitored one online class per day this would regain 2000 of the 2772 lost classrooms leaving only 772 to make up.
3. Of the 7050 secondary teachers that will be left under Luna's plan, if 4000 of them monitored an online class during their prep period, there would actually be 3228 new classroom which would reduce class size from 18.1 to 17.9 students per teachers.
One of the points that Luna maybe trying to demonstrate is that we can and should use the human resources we have more fully. I don't think Luna is saying that we have too many teachers rather we need to utilize our resources more wisely.
http://chum.ly/n/673f71
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Idaho's shortfall near $130 million
January's revenue was up over $14 million than expected. So, it looks like the budget shortfall will not be $185 million but much closer to $130 million. Just finished one scenario on how to balance the budget. It included:
1. Restructure kindergarten $33 million
2. High deductible policy for state legislators $.3 million
3. No subsidy for drivers training $3.5 million
4. Cuts in Health and Welfare $40 million
5. Elimination of public TV $2.2 million
I recommend no cuts in corrections.
http://chum.ly/n/65b6ed
1. Restructure kindergarten $33 million
2. High deductible policy for state legislators $.3 million
3. No subsidy for drivers training $3.5 million
4. Cuts in Health and Welfare $40 million
5. Elimination of public TV $2.2 million
I recommend no cuts in corrections.
http://chum.ly/n/65b6ed
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Another Idea to Save Money
The State of Idaho pays $125 per student that takes drivers training. This amounts to $3.5 million per year. Should this money be used to protect other important education programs instead?
http://chum.ly/n/650b47
http://chum.ly/n/650b47
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Ideas to balance the 2012 budget Public schools section
Some of you are aware that I have suggested 7 ideas that should be discussed in order to balance the budget. I have added two more and now there 9 ideas. If the state of Idaho is facing a $180 million shortfall, then public schools' portion of that budget shortfall is about $90 million. How will this shortfall be addressed?
I have listing these 9 ideas with the hope that other ideas will surface and from the list of ideas the best ideas will be implemented. I am not supportive of all of these ideas, and in fact, not all of them are needed. The legislature only needs to find $90 million in savings in public education and the ideas listed total over $350 million. Here are my thoughts on each of the 9 ideas. If you have any other ideas, I would be happy to add them to the list.
Option #1: Establish a twelve week kindergarten program to get kids ready for school rather than the current 36 week program. Potential Savings - $40 million
Comments -- Very supportive – A targeted kindergarten program aimed at those behind the other students could overcome the"Matthew Effect” and still accomplish much of what is currently being accomplished.
Option #2: Reduce wages and benefits to all teachers and administrators by 12 percent – Potential Savings $89 million.
Comments – Not supportive - I don't think this is a good idea.
Option #3: Create a statewide medical insurance pool for teachers that has a high deductible policy with a Health Savings Account – Potential Savings $15 to $35 million
Comments – Very supportive -- Depending upon the details this concept has the potential to both improve medical accessibility and reduce costs.
Option #4: Cut technology improvements by 25 to 50 percent – Potential Savings $6 to $12 million
Comments – Supportive – Superintendent Luna has suggested spending $24 million a year for several years on technology in the classroom. I am not sure every classroom or teacher would or could use this technology.
Option #5: Cut all or some teacher aids – As of FY10, Idaho school districts and charter schools paid approximately 3,000 FTP worth of "Instructional Assistants" about $70 million is salaries. At a minimum, there would be an additional 7.65% cost for FICA on top of that. Only those working half time or greater would have PERSI paid as well, at an employer cost rate of 10.39%.
Comments – Somewhat supportive – Idea #6 is accomplished by having fewer teachers. It seems to me that the number of aids and teachers are related and can't be discussed separately.
Option #6: Increase class size by 2 – Potential Savings $100 million
Comments – Supportive – This is Superintendent Luna's way to fund changes in public education. It should be discusses in conjunction with option #5. The underlying issue of this concept is how to increase the number of motivated students.
Option #7: Encourage motivated students to take two summer classes in order to graduate a year early* – Potential Savings between $13 million and $90 million
Comments – Very supportive – The legislature started moving this direction last year with the passage of the MAPP bill that allows and encourages students to graduate early with a scholarship. The problem is that this idea will not help this year's budget. This is a long-term strategy. Let me point out that 72 credits are required to graduate from most high schools in the state beginning in the 7th grade. 5 years x 14 credits = 70 credits. This means that if motivated students took two summer classes sometime between the 7th grade and the 11 grade, they could graduate a year early.
Option #8: Eliminate public funding for all sports programs – Potential Savings Unknown
Comments – Not supportive
Option #9: Consolidate school districts – Potential Savings around $17 million
Comments – This is a local choice.
Summary
If the kindergarten idea were implemented ($40 million), a statewide pool created ($35 million), and less money were allocated for technology ($12 million), this would total approximately $87 million. The budget problem may be solved with no wages cuts and medical insurance may even be improved. I think it can be done.
http://chum.ly/n/63ff10
I have listing these 9 ideas with the hope that other ideas will surface and from the list of ideas the best ideas will be implemented. I am not supportive of all of these ideas, and in fact, not all of them are needed. The legislature only needs to find $90 million in savings in public education and the ideas listed total over $350 million. Here are my thoughts on each of the 9 ideas. If you have any other ideas, I would be happy to add them to the list.
Option #1: Establish a twelve week kindergarten program to get kids ready for school rather than the current 36 week program. Potential Savings - $40 million
Comments -- Very supportive – A targeted kindergarten program aimed at those behind the other students could overcome the"Matthew Effect” and still accomplish much of what is currently being accomplished.
Option #2: Reduce wages and benefits to all teachers and administrators by 12 percent – Potential Savings $89 million.
Comments – Not supportive - I don't think this is a good idea.
Option #3: Create a statewide medical insurance pool for teachers that has a high deductible policy with a Health Savings Account – Potential Savings $15 to $35 million
Comments – Very supportive -- Depending upon the details this concept has the potential to both improve medical accessibility and reduce costs.
Option #4: Cut technology improvements by 25 to 50 percent – Potential Savings $6 to $12 million
Comments – Supportive – Superintendent Luna has suggested spending $24 million a year for several years on technology in the classroom. I am not sure every classroom or teacher would or could use this technology.
Option #5: Cut all or some teacher aids – As of FY10, Idaho school districts and charter schools paid approximately 3,000 FTP worth of "Instructional Assistants" about $70 million is salaries. At a minimum, there would be an additional 7.65% cost for FICA on top of that. Only those working half time or greater would have PERSI paid as well, at an employer cost rate of 10.39%.
Comments – Somewhat supportive – Idea #6 is accomplished by having fewer teachers. It seems to me that the number of aids and teachers are related and can't be discussed separately.
Option #6: Increase class size by 2 – Potential Savings $100 million
Comments – Supportive – This is Superintendent Luna's way to fund changes in public education. It should be discusses in conjunction with option #5. The underlying issue of this concept is how to increase the number of motivated students.
Option #7: Encourage motivated students to take two summer classes in order to graduate a year early* – Potential Savings between $13 million and $90 million
Comments – Very supportive – The legislature started moving this direction last year with the passage of the MAPP bill that allows and encourages students to graduate early with a scholarship. The problem is that this idea will not help this year's budget. This is a long-term strategy. Let me point out that 72 credits are required to graduate from most high schools in the state beginning in the 7th grade. 5 years x 14 credits = 70 credits. This means that if motivated students took two summer classes sometime between the 7th grade and the 11 grade, they could graduate a year early.
Option #8: Eliminate public funding for all sports programs – Potential Savings Unknown
Comments – Not supportive
Option #9: Consolidate school districts – Potential Savings around $17 million
Comments – This is a local choice.
Summary
If the kindergarten idea were implemented ($40 million), a statewide pool created ($35 million), and less money were allocated for technology ($12 million), this would total approximately $87 million. The budget problem may be solved with no wages cuts and medical insurance may even be improved. I think it can be done.
http://chum.ly/n/63ff10
Friday, January 28, 2011
House GOP leaders raise budget concerns - Eye On Boise - Spokesman.comSpokesman.comSpokesman.com - Jan. 27, 2011
www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2011/jan/27/house-go...#more
This is an article that details the size of the budget shortfall at $185 million
http://chum.ly/n/6320bd
This is an article that details the size of the budget shortfall at $185 million
http://chum.ly/n/6320bd
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