|
Understanding the Proposed Changes to Idaho’s Education System
How school funding in Idaho works
In Idaho, funding is tied to what you might think of as a classroom: for each classroom, a district receives money to hire a teacher, some support staff, and enough money to pay for the principals that will supervise all the staff in a school building. In addition, each classroom receives money that is used to pay for heat and light, books and supplies, staff health care benefits, and the 15% of busing costs that are not directly paid by the state.
The heart of the proposed changes to Idaho’s education system is increasing the class size in grades 4 through 12
The following table shows the proposed change to the number of students it will take in each grade to qualify for a “class” in Idaho’s education system.
|
Current Class Unit Size |
|
Proposed Class Unit Size in 2012-2013 |
|
|
Grade |
Number of Students |
Grade |
Number of Students |
|
Kindergarten |
40 (20 for each half day) |
Kindergarten |
40 |
|
1 through 3 |
20 |
1 through 3 |
20 |
|
4 through 8 |
23 |
4 through 8 |
25 |
|
9 through 12 |
18.5 |
9 through 12 |
20.5 |
By increasing the number of students it makes to create a “class” the state will save approximately $160 million by reducing the salary it pays to teachers, administrators, and support staff.
Reduction in Staffing in Joint School District No. 2 by 2012-2013 School Year
|
Teachers |
Administrators |
Support Staff |
|
Current: 1832 |
Current: 125 |
Current: 625 |
|
2012-2013: 1700 |
2012-2013: 116 |
2012-2013: 578 |
|
Net: -132 |
Net: -9 |
Net: -47 |
How will this impact class size?
Following are class sizes based on the reduction in teaching staff resulting from the proposed change in staffing:
Grade 4 Grade 5
Current average class size: 27.4 Current average class size: 27.9
Average class size 2012-2013 school year: 31.6 Average class size2012-2013 school year: 32
Grades 6 – 8 Grades 9 – 12
Current average class size: 25.12 Current average class size: 24.10
Average class 2012-2013 school year: 28.50 Average class size 2012-2013 school year: 28.20
Other changes to high school class sizes
Creating a high school schedule compounds the issue of class sizes because of the necessity of placing all students in required core classes during 4 years of high school. Two of the district’s high schools have studied what the impact of the reduction in staffing will have on class sizes. Both schools reported similar results. If a district high school staffed classes this year with the reduction in staffing currently being proposed, class size ranges would range as follows in required core subjects:
|
Subject |
Low class size |
High class size |
|
Math: |
27 (Honors Algebra II) |
44 (Honors Geometry) |
|
English: |
29 (Honors English 9A) |
41(Eng 11) |
|
Science: |
25 (Honors Earth Science) |
42 (Chemistry) |
|
Social Studies: |
29 (Honors American Gov) |
47 (Honors Economy) |
In addition, in order to further protect class loads and achieve these class sizes, schools would need to implement a minimum class size of 25 (the current minimum is 20). In a case study from one district high school, that minimum would require cutting AP Physics. AP Chemistry, AP Macro Economics, Spanish IV and AP Spanish.
Elective classes would either be consolidated or would have considerably higher loads. For example, Orchestra would be combined with Band, and PE would have loads ranging from 60 to 75, both as a required class and as an elective class.
Additional Changes to High School
The proposed changes to the educational system at high school include a requirement that students take 1 out of 6 required courses on line. These on-line courses will be taken at school, but without a certified teacher in the classroom. As a result, the number of students needed to fund a classroom will increase by .5 in grades 9-12 for three additional years. This will result in an additional 1.5 students needed to create one classroom unit under the state’s funding formula.
In Fiscal Year 2015, the number of students needed to calculate on high school classroom will be 23, an increase of 3.5 from its current level of 18.5.
Impact on Revenue
This year Joint School District No. 2 will receive $4,269 for each of its 34,561 students. In the 2012-2013 school year, that number will have decreased to $3,973 based on the same enrollment. In 2008-2009, per pupil revenue reached a district high at $5,100 per pupil. Since then the district has reduced its budget by $20 million dollars.
When adjusted for the savings of not hiring 132 teachers, 9 administrators, and 47 support staff, the district will receive $2,567,536 total dollars less than the amount received today for the same enrollment. As part of the proposed plan, the amount districts receive as “discretionary” money will be reduced by an additional $305 level. This will place discretionary revenue at pre-1998 levels.
New Expenditures from Staff Cost Savings
The $162 million in savings created through reduction in staff will be used in the following ways:
· Merit pay system. Teachers will be able to earn additional income based on student test data as an entire school; as grade level teams; and by doing additional work as a teacher mentor, curriculum writer, etc. Districts will also be able to pay additional amounts for hard to fill teaching positions such as special education, math, science, etc
· Restore the salary grid. Teachers will receive the additional pay for experience and education that has been frozen for two years
· Investment in classroom technology. Each classroom in Idaho will receive $6,000 in one-time money for classroom technology such as white boards, clickers, projectors, etc. Districts will be able to purchase these items off of a list developed by the state
· Pay for dual college credits earned by students who have completed the state graduation requirements by the end of their junior year.
· Provide a laptop computer to all incoming freshman starting fall 2011
Who to Contact
The bills implementing these changes will be introduced in the Senate Education Committee.
Public testimony is first scheduled for Monday, February 7 at 3 pm in the Senate Education Committee (the committee meets in the West end of the new below-ground section of the capital building). The testimony will continue for 4 days. Individuals can sign up to speak and will be given 3 minutes to testify.
E-mailing representatives is also an effective way to communicate. Although every e-mail may not be read personally, staff members to tally comments both for and against. Providing e-mail testimony in support of some parts of the measure and against others is acceptable and is accounted for.
In particular, the members of the Senate Education Committee need input first. The members and contact information follows:
John Goedde, Chairman
Monty Pearce
Chuck Winder*
John Andreason*
Mitch Toryanski
Nicole LeFavour
Edgar Malepeai
Russull Fulcher*
Dean Mortimer, Vice Chairman
*Represents a portion of Joint School District No. 2
What to Say?
If you choose to testify and what you choose to say is up to you. Following are three questions you might consider answering:
1. What is your opinion of requiring students to take classes on-line? The proposal will require students to take 2 classes per year on-line. These classes will be taken at school during the regular school day.
2. What is your opinion of increased class sizes?
3. What is your opinion of providing students with laptop computers beginning with freshman next fall?
Your input is important.
Editor's Note: This paper was distributed to administrators of the Meridian School Disctrict to be shared with the community courtesy of Eric Exline.
|
