View Bill Status
View Bill Text
View Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact
H0789..........................................................by EDUCATION
PUBLIC SCHOOLS - COURSES OF INSTRUCTION - Amends existing law relating to
public school courses of instruction to emphasize the local control of the
public school system; and to revise elements of a thorough system of
public, free, common schools.
03/08 House intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/09 Rpt prt - to Educ
03/14 Rpt out - to Gen Ord
]]]] LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO ]]]]
Fifty-eighth Legislature Second Regular Session - 2006
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. 789
BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
1 AN ACT
2 RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL COURSES OF INSTRUCTION; AMENDING SECTION 33-1612,
3 IDAHO CODE, TO EMPHASIZE THE LOCAL CONTROL OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, TO
4 REVISE THE ELEMENTS OF A THOROUGH SYSTEM OF PUBLIC, FREE COMMON SCHOOLS
5 AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
6 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
7 SECTION 1. That Section 33-1612, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
8 amended to read as follows:
9 33-1612. THOROUGH SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The constitution of the state
10 of Idaho, section 1, article IX, charges the legislature with the duty to
11 establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free
12 common schools. In fulfillment of this duty, the people of the state of Idaho
13 have long enjoyed the benefits of a locally controlled public school system,
14 supported by the legislature, which has recognized the value of education to
15 the children of this state.
16 In continuing recognition of the fundamental duty established by the con-
17 stitution, the legislature finds it in the public interest to define thorough-
18 ness and thereby establish the basic assumptions which govern provision of a
19 "thorough system of public, free common schools."
20 A thorough system of public, free common schools in Idaho is one in which:
21 (1.) A safe environment conducive to learning is provided;
22 (2.) Educators are empowered to maintain classroom discipline;
23 (3.) The basic values of honesty, self-discipline, unselfishness, respect
24 for authority, and the central importance of work and lifelong learning are
25 emphasized;
26 (4.) The skills, academic curriculum and specific knowledge of language
27 necessary to communicate effectively are taught;
28 (5.) A basic academic curriculum necessary to enable students to enter
29 academic or professional-technical postsecondary educational programs is pro-
30 vided;
31 (6.) The skills and instruction necessary for students to enter the work
32 force as quality leaders in a global marketplace are taught, including math,
33 science and English;
34 (7.) The students are introduced to current technology; and
35 (8.) The importance of students acquiring the skills and knowledge to
36 enable them to be responsible citizens of their homes, schools and communities
37 is emphasized.
38 The state board shall adopt rules, pursuant to the provisions of chapter
39 52, title 67, Idaho Code, and section 33-105(3), Idaho Code, to establish a
40 thorough system of public schools with uniformity as required by the constitu-
41 tion, but shall not otherwise impinge upon the authority of the local board of
42 trustees of the school districts. Authority to govern the local school dis-
43 trict, vested in the local board of trustees of the school district, not dele-
2
1 gated to the state board by the constitution, is reserved to the local board
2 of trustees. Fulfillment of the expectations of a thorough system of public
3 schools will continue to depend upon the vigilance of district patrons, the
4 dedication of local school trustees and educators, the responsiveness of state
5 rules, and meaningful oversight by the legislature.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS 16116C2
This legislation amends section 33-1612 of the Idaho Code,
amending public school courses of instruction by emphasizing and
clarifying local control in the public school system, by revising
the elements of a thorough system of public, free common schools,
and by making technical corrections.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the general fund.
Contact
Name: Representative Russ Mathews
Phone: (208) 332-1000
Statement of Purpose/Fiscal Note H 789