Tom Vander Ark: Why I Went to Idaho to Support Tom Luna

I'm in Idaho supporting state schools chief Tom Luna and his "Students Come First" plan.
I was invited to the state by the Idaho Freedom Foundation and I have a full schedule: an early morning presentation to the Idaho House Education Committee, a luncheon speech before a group gathered in the Legislative Dining Room and an afternoon presentation to the state Senate Education Committee.
Why am I doing all of this? Well, as I told a reporter for the Idaho Statesman, "Tom Luna’s got a great plan and I certainly support what he’s trying to do.”
As you may or may not know, online learning is at the center of Luna's education reform proposals. What's more, the debate over his proposals, have in some instances, become nasty.
The ongoing debate in Idaho over online learning is not unique. As I told the Statesman reporter, "it’s happening in most states. "
Even with the hurdles, change is coming. “I’m obviously very bullish. Not only about online, but particularly about blended learning — creating new combinations of learning online with on-site support and a new kind of school that’s very engaging, highly personalized and more productive."
Click here to read the entire Q&A.