TEACHERS: Need to consider factors

Now that the legislation to "reform" education in Idaho is nearly finalized, one must wonder how this will influence the potential teacher pool. Current and future teachers will need to consider many factors when choosing where to work.

Some considerations follow.

Student to Teacher Ratio - The student to teacher ratio will be the most dramatic and lopsided among many and perhaps all western states. Good teachers teach to all ability levels and interests. This becomes very difficult if not impossible if the ratio is too great, especially if those with learning difficulties are included. The practice of "inclusion" is the best method used today, but this model will not function with larger student to teacher ratios.

Wages and Benefits - Idaho teachers' pay is already at or near the bottom in this category nationally. Idaho teachers have typically negotiated this item last in favor of better learning environments for students or for benefits.

Early Childhood Education - Cutting kindergarten from the funding formula will widen the "ready to read" gap already experienced by many of those who are of limited income.

Collective Bargaining - Essential considerations such as sick leave, personal leave, work hours, duty free lunch, conflict resolution, curriculum development and cooperative planning will go out the window. Educators in the state of Idaho will literally serve at the "pleasure" of a few and newly empowered small group of people. Conflicting educational beliefs could result in limited employment opportunities, translation- getting fired. Idaho teachers will literally fear for their jobs if they have a contradictory idea.

BILL BAUMAN

Post Falls