There will be nothing magic about the year 2000, an Idaho education official says.
The first day of the new millennium probably will be just about the same as the last day of the old millennium, state schools superintendent Jerry Evans says.That means those working for an improved school system by 2000 must get started now, Evans told a committee planning changes in the educational system on Wednesday.
There are less than 3,000 days until 2000 comes, Evans said. If the goal is to convert Idaho's 600 schools to high-technology, output-oriented institutions by 2000, that means one must be converted about every five days.
"There are not that many days to bring the schools up to a high level of student performance," he said. "We need to get started right away."
As part of that drive, the next Legislature will be asked for about $18.7 million for "Schools for 2000 and Beyond." Included is $11.7 million to carry out recommendations from three task forces on education; $2 million for innovative and creative grants and $5 million for "action plans" to modernize schools.
Evans appeared before the Steering and Evaluations Committee appointed by the state Board of Education to come up with a strategic plan for improving preschool, elementary and secondary education. The 11-member panel includes educators, business representatives and political leaders.
The talk turned to improving teacher salaries, and educational consultant T.H. Bell suggested teacher pay should be based on the rank system used at virtually every college and university. That sort of peer review system has worked well in higher education, he said.
"There is more discipline on college campuses," he said. "It is tough to win a promotion."
Some member of the steering committee said the first effort should be to improve the basic level of teacher salaries, before starting a system that grants higher pay to some teachers.