Will Idaho Voters Uphold Education Reform?

Brandon Arnold
November 3, 2012

Idaho’s citizens have an opportunity to vote on three education reform measures in the same manner as a legislator and to impact the direction of Idaho public schools when they either uphold or reject the so-called “Luna Laws.” Taxpayers have much at stake in the decision over whether to support the reforms made by legislators.

What bargaining rights should teachers unions have?

Proposition 1 represents an education reform law that curbed collective bargaining, and removed tenure for some teachers. A vote for the measure is a vote for the already-passed reform law.

According to the Idaho Freedom Foundation, the underlying reform law helps to shift educational control away from labor unions and toward elected school boards. If voters allow it to remain on the books, the recently enacted law could save Idaho taxpayers money, increase teacher accountability, and improve education outcomes.

Should taxpayers pay for performance?

Proposition 2, which is opposed by the Idaho teachers union, would uphold a law that instituted “pay for performance” standards for teachers. These recently adopted standards provide financial incentives to teachers for better academic achievements and for taking leadership roles in schools.

New Technologies and Transparency

Proposition 3 would uphold an educational reform law that incorporates more digital and online learning in Idaho classrooms and increases transparency in the public school system. It would also require Idaho school districts to post labor union contracts online.

After the Legislature passed these education reform measures, and the teachers’ union put them on the ballot to potentially be struck down, Idaho voters now get the final say over issues that will affect educational and fiscal policy for many years.

Stay tuned for more on the major state ballot initiatives this election season, and visit our 2012 Ballot Guide page HERE to find your state’s complete slate of propositions, questions, amendments and more.

Will Idaho Voters Uphold Education Reform?

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