While the world is focused on democratic uprisings in the Middle East, and the United States is focusing on proposed changes to collective bargaining for public employees in the Midwest, particularly in Wisconsin, there was also an uprising in the western United States.
Public school students, the vast majority who cannot vote, expressed their concern over a plan to substantially expand online education in the state of Idaho.
Online education may have some appeal in a low population state, where a substantial number of students may live in isolated communities and small towns that cannot afford to have full time teachers for every subject. In fact, the state of Idaho provides online education already.
But, some students, and others are balking over the extent of the new plan and who benefits
The Luna Plan
The Luna Plan, is named for state schools chief, Tom Luna. Online education is already provided in a large number of Idaho school districts. What's changing is the formula that pays for the online classes and the requirement for the number of online classes that students would have to take.
According to an analysis by the Idaho Statesman, "Today, although many high school students take one or more online classes...Luna’s proposal would phase in a plan to require each student to take six online classes before graduation." The funding formula would price the state online programs out of the reach of many small districts and push them towards out-of-state private providers, several of which contributed to Luna's election. One of those companies is the Apollo Group, which owns the University of Phoenix.
Though this is troubling, students went to the state capital, in Boise, to voice other concerns.
Student Concerns Over the Plan
Many students around the state walked out of classes on February 28, to hold public demonstrations against the plan.
Students in, and near Boise, went to the state capitol building and cracked open books - a symbolic gesture against over reliance on educational technology.
Arizona Knight, a sophomore at Highland High School, questioned the priorities of her elders. When interviewed by KPVI news, she said, "We need more one-on-one time. Not computers. Not technology, no. We need teachers."
The walkout was not endorsed by any school district. The state legislature will continue to debate this proposal
Whether these students are right, or wrong, about this proposal, one fact remains clear: the care enough about their education and the education of those following them in lower grades to speak out.
Sources:
- Pike, J. (February 26, 2011). Labor protests continue in Wisconsin and other states. Suite 101
- Rodine, K., & Popkey, D. (February 11, 2011). Transforming education: Will Idaho schools chief Tom Luna's plan favor out-of-state online providers. Idaho Statesman.
- Students walk out in protest of Luna's education reform plan. (February 28, 2011).KPVI News.
Jon Pike - Pike is a Ph.D. in communication and writes about activism and popular culture topics for Suite101.
