‘Education Summit’ To Draft New Public School Rules The Legislature Initiated The Review Process Two Years Ago.

State education officials plan to eliminate all existing rules on the operation of public schools, then convene an “education summit” to draft new ones.

The state Board of Education says the goal is to improve education for Idaho children, give local schools more freedom and reduce unnecessary paper work. The Legislature two years ago initiated the review process.

A board-appointed subcommittee is reviewing recommendations to decide which should be adopted by the education board. Meetings will be conducted to gather public comment on the proposal that will be submitted to the full board.

The subcommittee meets Tuesday in Boise at Boise State University. The panel is made up of members of the board, legislators, Schools Superintendent Anne Fox and lawyers.

A task force has spent months gathering comments and suggestions from concerned people. Its 27-page report suggests major changes in the way schools are operated and governed.

Recommendations:

Eliminate all existing rules on instructional programs, including those on accreditation, graduation requirements and textbook adoption.

Eliminate rules setting building standards for local schools, leaving districts free to make their own decisions within the requirement of existing laws and building codes.

Drop state rules on driver education, again leaving it up to the local districts.

Eliminate most rules on school bus transportation, allowing local districts to set their own standards.

Copies of the recommendations are available at the office of the State Board of Education, district superintendents’ offices and school principal offices.

The report also is available at the college or division of education at the four state-supported college and universities, college and university libraries and at public libraries statewide.