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Senate panel delays redesign vote

Becca Phelan, far left, 10th-grader from Coeur d'Alene High School listens during a class discussion in biology on Wednesday. The Senate Education Committee wrapped up two days of hearings on Idaho's proposed high school redesign, which calls for requiring more math and science classes, a senior project and more, before students can graduate from high school in Idaho. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Meghann M. Cuniff Staff writer
Becca Phelan, far left, 10th-grader from Coeur d'Alene High School listens during a class discussion in biology on Wednesday. The Senate Education Committee wrapped up two days of hearings on Idaho's proposed high school redesign, which calls for requiring more math and science classes, a senior project and more, before students can graduate from high school in Idaho. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

BOISE – A plan to require more math and science courses for high school students received praise and criticism from educators, students and industry leaders this week. So much, in fact, that the Senate Education Committee postponed voting on the plan to allow everyone time to speak.

Lawmakers questioned details of the plan during the committee’s meetings Tuesday and Wednesday, focusing on the money needed to pay for it and the struggles rural schools may face to meet increased standards.

“I’ve talked to virtually all the superintendents in my district,” said Sen. Tom Gannon, R-Buhl. “They all expressed support for this program, but all expressed some severe reservations about being able to attract math and science teachers to the rural communities.”

The House Education Committee is scheduled to vote on the plan at 8 a.m. today.

The final proposal calls for:

“A yearlong project for seniors beginning in 2012.

“Three math and three science classes for graduation by 2012, compared to the current two years of math and two years of science. A fourth math class would be added in 2013.

“A college entrance exam for 11th-graders beginning in 2012.

“Advanced educational opportunities, such as advanced placement classes, in 2007.

The state predicts a cost of $56 million over the next several years to put the plan in place. Once fully implemented, the annual cost would total about $17 million, with most of the money going to pay for additional math and science teachers.

Many people said during the meetings that they would only support the proposal if the Legislature provides the funding.

Speakers at the two meetings disagreed over the effect more required courses would have on students’ ability to take electives.

Idaho Music Educators Association President Sam Stone, a band teacher at Caldwell High School, said even small adjustments can drastically affect a student’s education in electives.

“They would not have the ability to stay in concurrent, sequential classes,” Stone said. “If they’re hopping in and out, it detracts from their experience and from the experience of those around them.”

More than 40 people testified, including representatives from state universities and local industries who touted the proposal as a way to improve the quality of the college experience and a way to ensure that high school graduates have the skills needed to succeed in the workforce without additional remedial training.

Marty Peterson, assistant to the president of the University of Idaho, said that – as a father – he favored the proposal to require all students to complete a senior project before they graduate.

But Meridian parent Virginia Christensen called it “a huge waste of time” and said it absorbs class time that could be spent on important subjects like government and English.

She said requiring so much math and science ignores the fact that not all professions require extensive knowledge of the subjects.

“For some reason, we seem to think that the only successful adult is one who goes on to study college math or engineering,” Christensen said.

Rigby High School Principal Mark Neish criticized the committee for ignoring the majority of residents who opposed the redesign proposal during public hearings last summer.

Representatives of the state Board of Education said they took public comment into consideration and dropped requirements in the original proposal that sparked serious complaints.