Idaho school system
From Sunshine Review
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The Idaho state constitution requires that the state legislature establish and maintain " general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools."[1] Additionally, the legislatures may require that children attend public school between the ages of 6 and 18 years, unless they are educated by other legally accepted means.[2]
[edit] School revenues, expenditures and budget
- See also: Idaho state budget
The total state fund for FY 2009 is $6.64 billion. Education accounts for $2.69 billion, 40.5%, of the total state fund. The education fund covers five main departments: elementary and secondary education - $1.95 billion; higher education - $517 million; prof. tech. education - $66.2 million; agricultural research - $34.3 million; and all other education necessities - $116.3 million.[3]
[edit] Personnel salaries
According to the American Federation of Teachers, Idaho ranked 30th in the nation for average teacher salary for the 2006-07 school year. In the 2006-07 school year the average teacher salary was $45,094, a 3.9% increase from 2005-06. Idaho ranked 41st in beginning teacher salaries - $30,000, a 9.1% increase from 2005-06.
In terms of charter schools in the 2006-07 school year the average salary was $42,978, whereas the beginning teacher salary was $30,000.[4]
| School year | Average annual teacher salary | Average beginning teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-2007 | $45,094[4] | $30,000[4] |
| 2005-2006 | $43,335[4] | $27,270[4] |
| 2003-2004 | $40,111[5] | $25,908[5] |
| 2002-2003 | $39,790[5] | $25,726[5] |
[edit] Role of unions
The main union related to the Idaho school system are Idaho Education Association (IEA), an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA). IEA is the largest education association in the state. For the 2003 tax period IEA had: $4.5 million in total revenue, $4.3 million in total expenses and $3.3 million in total assets.[6]
List of local Idaho school unions:[7]
[edit] Role of school boards
The State Board of Education serves as the general planning and coordinating body for public education. Specifically the board is responsible for educational, training, research, continuing education and service programs for Idaho citizens.[8] The state superintendent of public instruction also serves as the ex officio member of the school board.[9]
[edit] Taxpayer-funded lobbying
- See also: Idaho taxpayer-funded lobbying
The main education taxpayer-funded lobbying organization is the Idaho School Boards Association.
[edit] Transparency
- See also: Idaho transparency headlines
Idaho does not appear to have transparency in regards to the state's education system. The Department of Education does list information regarding the state's academic performance at the state, district and school levels.
[edit] Reports
A 2009 study, Leaders and Laggards, conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for a Competitive Workplace, Frederick M. Hess of the conservative American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, and the Center for American Progress, gave Idaho: "C" in academic achievement; "D" in truth in advertising about student proficiency; "C" in rigor of standards; "C" in post-secondary and workforce readiness; "C" in for its teacher workforce policies; "F" in data quality.[10]
[edit] Academic performance
The chart below details the percentage of students that scored either proficient or advanced in reading, language and mathematics on the state assessment exam Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) exam. AYP is used by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program to determine the academic performance of schools. The percentage of students that scored either proficient or advanced increased in the 2008-2009 school year. The greatest increase was seen in language, a 3.76% increase.[11]
| Year | Reading (%) | Language (%) | Mathematics (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-2008[11] | 84.57 | 72.41 | 80.85 |
| 2008-2009[11] | 88.15 | 76.17 | 81.57 |
The graduation rate in the 2006-2007 school year was 88.29%, whereas the 2007-2008 school year rate was 89.70%.[11]
[edit] School district status
Below is a chart of the school districts' AYP status as of the end of the 2008-2009 school year.[11] To see results, click "show".
[edit] School choice
School choice options include:
- Charter schools: Idaho's charter school law was passed in 1998. Public charter schools operate independently from existing school districts but are still considered within the school system.[12] In 1998, Idaho had a total of 3 charter schools, however in the 2009 school year 37 charter schools were approved. Two of the 37 approved schools were statewide virtual charter schools.[13]
- Public school open enrollment: the state of Idaho has two open enrollment policies: inter-district and intra-district. In other words, students are permitted to enroll in any school within their neighborhood school district or in any alternative district in the state.[14]
- Online learning: the state of Idaho has a state-led online program called the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. Additionally, in 2007 Idaho had a reported four full-time online charter schools.[14]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ↑ State of Idaho Constitution,"Article IX, Section 1," retrieved October 20, 2009
- ↑ State of Idaho Constitution,"Article IX, Section 9," retrieved October 20, 2009
- ↑ State of Idaho,"General Fund Recommendation by State Goals," retrieved October 20, 2009
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 American Federation of Teachers,"Idaho ranked 30th in the Nation for Teacher Pay," retrieved October 21, 2009
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 American Federation of Teachers,"Idaho Ranks 32nd in the Nation for Teacher Pay," October 6, 2005
- ↑ Center for Union Facts,"Idaho Education Association," retrieved October 15, 2009
- ↑ Center for Union Facts,"Idaho teachers unions," retrieved October 15, 2009
- ↑ Idaho State Board of Education,"Institutional Role & Missions," October 27, 1998
- ↑ Idaho Constitution,"Article IX, Section 2," retrieved October 20, 2009
- ↑ U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute,"Idaho Education Report Card," retrieved November 16, 2009
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 State of Idaho,"Idaho report 08-09," retrieved October 20, 2009
- ↑ Idaho State Department of Education,"Charter Schools," retrieved October 15, 2009
- ↑ Idaho State Department of Education,"Charter school development by school and type 1998-2009," retrieved October 15, 2009
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 The Heritage Foundation,"Idaho School Choice," retrieved October 15, 2009
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