RECOMMENDATIONS:
The ED Sessions speaker series exposes Idaho leaders to the best methods, resources and practices in the areas of learning innovation, community investments and awareness. Beginning its third installment in February 2015, the series previously hosted nationally and internationally renowned experts, including Mike Rowe, Sir Ken Robinson and Sal Khan.
During the 2014 luncheon series, guests heard from education innovation leaders, including Adrian Sannier with Arizona State University, David Driscoll, former Massachusetts schools superintendent and Jeanne Allen, founder of The Center for Education Reform, among others.
At the last ED Sessions event of 2014, about 60 frequent ED Sessions attendees, stakeholders and key leaders convened to revisit the presentations. They were asked to identify key points and ideas from the presentations that could benefit Idaho students. In small groups, they identified “low-hanging fruit” — recommendations that can be implemented quickly — relating to the best practices from the series, and developed strategic action plans to move the recommendations forward.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
- Redesign Idaho’s education funding system to maximize every dollar equitably. This will require recruiting financial experts to explore the current system and provide recommendations for an improved system of funding for Idaho.
- Provide broad spectrum (real-world) learning experience to help students identify passions, strengths and career pathways that fit their needs.
- Place a clear focus on the proven benefits of early learning, by educating decision makers to develop policies that support proven methods, and make funding decisions based on research and data.
- Develop continuous individualized support for teachers at all levels of the profession to ensure highly effective teachers.
- Establish admission requirements for teacher and administrator preparation programs that are tied to best or proven practice outcomes.
- Advance the use of technology in effective teaching and learning by exploring models of success, effective tools and resources.
- All policy must be grounded in research and best practices to ensure students have the best teachers, leaders, curriculum and learning environments.
Jamie MacMillan
J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (JKAF)
Roger Quarles
J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (JKAF)
Blossom Johnston
J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (JKAF)
Terry Ryan
Idaho Charter School Network
Jennifer Swindell
Idaho Education News
Don Keller
Sage International School
Tony Ashton
Teach For America
Bill Parrett
Boise State University
Lauren Necochea
Idaho KIDS COUNT
Rob King
Go On Schools
Amy Russell
Idaho Charter School Network
Lisa Kinnaman
Idaho Leads Project
Dan Massimino
Idaho Leads Project
Will Northrop
What-if-Concepts
Kali Kurdy
TeachIdaho
Tom Wilford
Retired
LeAnn Simmons
Idaho Voices for Children
Cory Velasco
J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (JKAF)
Jennie Sue Weltner
J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (JKAF)
Suzanne Metzgar
Idaho Charter School Network
Jim Everett
Treasure Valley Family YMCA
Melissa Merritt
J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (JKAF)
Nick Groff
J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation (JKAF)
Jamie Cooper
Drake Cooper
Beth Oppenheimer
Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children
Robert Ball
Idaho Youth Ranch
Kelly Cross
BSU Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies
Ann Heilman
Learning Lab, Inc.
Jessica Ruehrwein
Treasure Valley Education Partnership
Sarah Weppner
Treasure Valley Education Partnership
Rob Winslow
Idaho Assoc. of School Admin.
Beverly Harad
Community Advocate
Keith Donahue
Sage International School of Boise
Molly Lenty
Wells Fargo
Briana LeClaire
Idaho Federation of Independent Schools
Luci Willits
Department of Education
Mike Jung
Idaho Statesman
Cristianne Lane
Lee Pesky Learning Center
Evelyn Johnson
Lee Pesky Learning Center
Shea Andersen
Fahlgren Mortine
Jackie Collins
Idaho Arts Charter
Cindy Orr
Idaho Department of Education
Rich Raimondi
Bishop Kelly High School
Joel Pearsall
Northwest Nazarene University
Marie McGrath
Idaho Arts Charter School
Scott Curtis
Treasure Valley Family YMCA
Rich Osguthorpe
Boise State University
Jeannie Standal
Idaho Commission of Libraries
Jacob Smith
Idaho Digital Learning Academy
Tracie Bent
Idaho State Board of Education
Patricia Northrop
Campfire Foundation
Julie Best
Idaho Digital Learning
Kelci Lynn Lucier
College Parent Handbook
- Redesign Idaho’s education funding system to maximize every dollar equitably. This will require recruiting financial experts to explore the current system and provide recommendations for an improved system of funding for Idaho.
- Provide broad spectrum (real-world) learning experience to help students identify passions, strengths and career pathways that fit their needs.
- Place a clear focus on the proven benefits of early learning, by educating decision makers to develop policies that support proven methods, and make funding decisions based on research and data.
- Develop continuous individualized support for teachers at all levels of the profession to ensure highly effective teachers.
- Establish admission requirements for teacher and administrator preparation programs that are tied to best or proven practice outcomes.
- Advance the use of technology in effective teaching and learning by exploring models of success, effective tools and resources.
- All policy must be grounded in research and best practices to ensure students have the best teachers, leaders, curriculum and learning environments.