Process is important, Gov. Butch Otter told lawmakers. That’s “why I appointed a task force representing a broad cross-section of stakeholders to carefully assess our options. Now that group has delivered its findings, and we must be just as careful in how we enact them.” He said he wants the process to be “as data-driven and as focused on outcomes as possible,” which is why he’s calling for writing next year’s portion of the five-year phase-in of the education task force recommendations in “ink” and the out years “in pencil, so that we can better assess the local impacts of that funding.”

He added, “In assessing those impacts, my task force also recognized the importance of the increased academic rigor we will see by successfully implementing the Idaho Core Standards. I want to express my appreciation to you for having the courage and foresight to adopt those standards, understanding that meaningful work remains to be done.”

The governor said he supports legislation in the works from Senate Education Chairman John Goedde, R-Coeur d’Alene, and House Education Chairman Reed DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, to “further clarify the fact that we place the highest importance on the privacy and security of student data.” He said, “Istrongly support that effort.”

The governor said he wants a new way of viewing education: Instead of K-12, it should be “K through Career.”