Luna: Idaho Has Good Schools

Beginning his public schools budget pitch, state Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that much has changed since he first submitted a budget request in September – namely, the repeal of the “Students Come First” laws. “At the same time we recognize that many of the things have not changed,” he said. “The data has stated the same, and what the data tells us is that in Idaho, we have good schools.” Sixty percent of Idaho  schools met AYP, or federal adequate yearly progress, standards last year;  58 percent were rated as “four- or five-star schools” under Idaho’s new rating system, and students in just eight states outperformed Idaho 8th graders in reading, while just 11 states edged 8th graders in math/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.

Other legislative education coverage by Eye on Boise:

• Luna: ‘A lot has changed since September’
• Luna recommends 3% increase for schools, Otter 2%
• Department of Education laid off 3 after voters rejected Luna Laws
• Luna: Tech is not ‘silver bullet’ but must be funded ‘like a utility’
• Luna: Broad, bipartisan support to stick w/current year budget, not remove funds
• Difference between Otter, Luna budget proposals for schools
• Luna would restore 1.67% to teacher base pay, but not increase it
• Without $33.9M for stakeholder reforms, Luna’s budget for next year would be flat

Question: So Luna’s admitting that Idaho has good schools, even after voters rejected his “reform” measures?