It’s the last day of education budget proposals in front of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, but all eyes are watching the governor’s education task force meeting today.

Between Monday and Friday, state budget writers have listing to funding requests for public schools, the Idaho State Department of Education and each of the state’s colleges and universities. Those combined budgets account for more than half of the state’s general fund.

The last education hearing begin at 8 a.m. today. The final presentation is from the Idaho State Board of Education, Professional-technical Education and Idaho Public Television.

Over on the Boise State University Campus in the Yanke Research Park (220 ParkCenter) is the Education Task Force meeting that begins at 10 a.m.

This group of 31 education and business leaders has been asked to offer ideas for education reform. The governor has recommended to lawmakers to provide the group with nearly $34 million.

The Education Task Force met Jan. 11 and is scheduled to meet again on Feb. 8 at the Boise State Student Union Building. The State Board of Education is facilitating the work.

Friday’s agenda begins with a review of the Jan. 11 meeting. The objectives of the day are as follows:

•  Look at data and best practices in focus areas. The focus areas are professional development, teacher effectiveness, fiscal stability, technology and structure.
• Develop goals and potential strategies for each focus area (group work).
• Discuss and gather input from full group on each focus area’s goals and strategies.

Group work will begin in the afternoon after the group hears several presentations in the morning sessions. Scheduled speakers include:

•  Scott Grothe, accountability program manager, State Board of Education, on Idaho’s 60 percent postsecondary attendance goal and K-12 data.
• Jamie MacMillan, executive director of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, on what’s next for Idaho.
• Marguerite Rosa, Georgetown University and Center for Reinventing Public Education.
• Paula Conley, Coeur d’Alene School District, regional best practices.
• Phyllis Nichols, New Plymouth School District, regional best practices.
• Linda Clark, Treasure Valley school districts, regional best practices.
• Teresa Jackman, Pocatello School District, regional best practices.

For more details, click here to see the agenda.

Disclosure: A grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation funds Idaho Education News.