Two teachers with two very different viewpoints on "Students Come First" laws
Sonia Galaviz, a fifth-grade teacher at Boise's Garfield Elementary, sat on the front steps of her school Sunday afternoon, hoping for a change of course this November.
Galaviz, 34, has taught in Idaho for nine years. She is a fierce opponent to Superintendent Tom Luna's "Students Come First" education reform laws passed by lawmakers in 2011.
"I feel like Superintendent Luna doesn't get education," Galaviz said.
The Boise teacher strongly encourages voters to vote "No" on Election Day and repeal the laws.
"We're not dealing with cogs and widgets here on a factory line," Galaviz said. "I teach little human beings that have different needs and capabilities. It's my professionalism and expertise that will help determine their success."
On the other side of the issue lies veteran Oakley High teacher, Heidi Cranney. Cranney teaches several science courses in a rural district. She fully supports the education propositions on this fall's ballot.
"They're [students] not interested in a textbook," Cranney said. "They're interested in technology. Point-in-case, my kindergartner can learn my iPad like no other. That's their world. And, we need to grasp that and understand that and not hold them back. Idaho, we need this."
The "NO" campaign may be enjoying some momentum three weeks from Election Day.
According to an Idaho Statesman poll released Sunday, Prop 1, dealing with collective bargaining, and Prop 3 centering on technology in the classroom and the online-course mandate, are trailing.
The numbers indicate Idaho voters favor the "Pay for Performance" proposition by a slim margin.
The "NO" campaign significantly outraised its opponents by more than $500,000 through the end of September.










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