[Vision2020] Superintendent says 'doomsday' not coming

[Joe Campbell]

Why do we need teachers or even schools? Just give them a computer and let
them figure it out for themselves. Joe

On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 3:37 AM, Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com> wrote:

> "After canceling a bidding process in June for lack of competitive bids,
> the state is now negotiating with up to a half-dozen potential providers of
> the computers, with hopes of picking one in the coming weeks. At stake is
> an eight-year contract worth more than $100 million, under which the
> provider would supply and maintain laptops for every Idaho high school
> student, provide technical support, and set up and maintain wireless
> networks in Idaho high schools."
>
> - Spokesman-Review - October 18, 2012
>
> Courtesy of today's (October 18, 2012) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
>
> -------------------------------------
>
> Superintendent says 'doomsday' not coming
>
> Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna came to speak at an
> event hosted by the University of Idaho College Republicans on Wednesday
> night, and used the opportunity to defend the Students Come First laws,
> which are being challenged at the polls in November.
>
> Propositions 1, 2 and 3 would limit teachers collective bargaining,
> institute merit pay bonuses, provide laptops to every high school student
> and require online learning for graduation.
>
> Alexander Rowsen, vice president of the UI College Republicans, heard Luna
> speak at a previous event and organized an opportunity to bring him to
> campus.
>
> "I was very impressed by his passion and knowledge of the issues," Rowsen
> said. "Education in this state should be a very important issue to all
> Idahoans, and I hope we get all different types of people to come learn
> about it."
>
> Luna responded to hesitation from an audience of more than 100, a few of
> whom were wearing "No on Props 1, 2, 3" buttons, by saying Idaho is behind
> the curve in education reform, particularly in technology.
>
> "Don't let anybody tell you that schools don't want this, that teachers
> don't see the value in it and that students don't need this," Luna said of
> the use of online learning and laptops in classrooms. "These are the 21st
> century learning tools we need to get into every classroom."
>
> Luna did recognize that online learning is in need of improvement, which
> will come in the form of an online portal where students and teachers can
> evaluate courses.
>
> "Online and distance learning are not going away. We have to look at
> increasing the quality," he said. "We are going to make sure that before a
> class is ever offered it has to meet the standards and has to be taught by
> an Idaho certified teacher."
>
> Luna also claimed the rumor that instructors teaching on the Idaho Digital
> Learning Academy were not Idaho teachers was false and blamed much of the
> push-back from educators across the state on bad information.
>
> "I can go through list after list after list of the misinformation that
> has been put out there about these laws, and I'm not surprised," he said.
> "What's happening now with pay for performance is that teachers across the
> state are finding out the things they've been told aren't true."
>
> Luna gave examples of misinformation such as the merit bonuses resulting
> in pay cuts and computers replacing teachers.
>
> "Time is going to prove the doomsday scenario that was painted by the
> opposition just hasn't materialized. There's not a crater where there used
> to be a school," he said.
>
> Luna also explained teachers within the same school would not be competing
> for bonuses because merit pay based on student performance would be
> distributed to an entire school as opposed to individuals. The doomsday
> scenarios are more likely to come if the propositions are voted down, he
> said.
>
> "If you want to see disruption and chaos we can see all the things that
> will change if these laws will go away because of the impact that will have
> on school funding," said Luna, adding $40 million of funding for districts
> would go away, possibly including the merit bonuses teachers should receive
> in November.
>
> A major criticism Luna has received for the laws is that they took away
> the voice of Idaho teachers.
>
> "I've started hearing this recently, and I don't know where it's coming
> from," Luna said. "The argument that somehow we are limiting the
> opportunity for teachers to speak up on behalf of students is just not
> true."
>
> Luna said the laws open more doors for teachers and there has not been a
> circumstance where a teacher has been denied the opportunity to speak on
> behalf of students.
>
> "It's not the perfect path and we need to make changes going forward, but
> the worst thing we can do is go back to where we were before because of the
> disruption it will cause in our schools and our districts and the
> opportunities that will be lost for students," he said.
> -------------------------------------
> [image: image.jpeg]
> Seeya at the polls, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares"
> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "We're a town of about 23,000 with 10,000 college students.  The college
> students are not very active in local elections (thank goodness!)."
>
> - Dale Courtney (March 28, 2007)
>
>
>
>
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