Idaho State Board of Education considered several proposed rule changes regarding accountability and teacher licensure. The board approved the following to be considered for inclusion in Idaho Administrative Procedures Act Rules:
Incorporate the teacher certification requirements into administrative code instead of referring to the manual as rule by reference
Greater definition and refining of the Code of Ethics
Alternative routes for teacher licensure
Requirement for approved content, pedagogy and performance assessments to ensure qualified teachers, as recommended by the Professional Standards Commission
Proficiency on the ISAT required for graduation - the test will include both selected and constructed responses
The requirement for passing the ISAT is to go into effect for the 2005-06 school year
Decisions regarding higher education made by the Board during its two-day meeting:
The placement of the health care education building in Idaho Falls will be on the Eastern Idaho Technical College (EITC) campus provided a memorandum of agreement between EITC and Idaho State University pertaining to the joint use of the building by the two institutions is signed. Bonding for the building will not proceed until the memorandum is in place.
Dr. Richard Bowen, President of Idaho State University, requested and was granted permission to invest $30,000 into the completion of the design and cost analysis of the proposed University Place building in Boise. Permission came after Gary Michael, Interim President of the University of Idaho personally pledged $30,000 to cover the University of Idaho Foundation's half of the costs to complete the design and cost analysis. Mr. Michael pledged the $30,000 after Board member Milford Terrell questioned the ability of the U of I Foundation to invest $30,000 when they are unable to pay back loans to the University of Idaho.
The Board approved new policy that addresses the planning and coordination of delivery of instruction by the postsecondary public institutions. The policy sets in place guidelines for the institutions and the State Board to follow in order to improve access, avoid duplication and increase efficiency in the delivery of programs to meet the education and workforce development needs of Idaho's citizens.
At the close of the meeting on Thursday Department of Education staff and outstanding science and social studies teachers reviewed courses of study, end -of-course assessments, and optional tools for school districts to use. The Board appreciated the presentation from the teachers and the update from Department staff. "We are very fortunate to have the quality dedicated teachers we have in our state. It was a pleasure to listen to some of them today," said Blake Hall, President of the State Board of Education.
Luci Willits
Communications
Officer
208-332-1591