Trib: Luna Places $60M Laptop Wager

Idaho is wagering $60 million on the premise that today’s high school students must learn differently. It isn’t the only gamble in state School Superintendent Tom Luna’s bid to reshape K-12 education; it is just part of the “Students Come First” overhaul that also rewrites the state’s teacher negotiation process and establishes a merit pay system. But the technology initiative may be the one change that most directly, and profoundly, impacts the classroom experience, and the relationship between the teacher and student. It also hinges, to a large degree, on assumptions being made today about tomorrow’s technology. If there is one thing that can be assumed about technology, it is that the state of the art will look considerably different at the end of the state’s five-year, $60 million shopping spree. Between now and May 25, the state is entertaining bids to supply the state not just with the gadgetry, but with backup that includes maintenance, wireless and tech support/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here . (January 2011 AP file photo of Luna pitching his education “reforms” to Idaho Legislature)

Question: Do you plan to vote for/against referendums this fall to rescind Superintendent Tom Luna’s education “reforms”?