Rep. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett, told the House, "One of the things I find really appealing about this bill is it gives power and choices to parents and students to choose classes that will benefit them personally."

Rep. Carlos Bilbao, R-Emmett, said, "Technology - that's where we're headed, folks."

Rep. Grant Burgoyne, D-Boise, said, "This economy will improve, circumstances will improve, revenues to our school districts will improve. And yet according to my school district, this plan begins to take money out of local schools and put them in the state Department of Education."

Rep. Bill Killen, D-Boise, said students already know how to evade computer security programs and other high-tech skills. "I submit that if we think we have something to teach these kids we are sadly mistaken when it comes to technology." He said the legislation offers a "glib, marketing type of approach" that won't produce anything.

Rep. JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, said, "We have parents who cannot pay more. These parents are struggling. ... This bill gives us an opportunity in our rural areas ... we can go online, we can have a good teacher."

---

---