Testimony given on education reforms

BOISE (AP) - A line formed at the Idaho Capitol about two hours before lawmakers started taking public testimony on a plan to overhaul Idaho's public education system.

More than 100 people were scheduled to testify as the hearing started, with just 16 signed up to speak in support of the Republican-backed education reforms that have been heavily criticized by the teachers union. Supporters included school administrators and campaign contributors of public schools chief Tom Luna, who unveiled the overhaul in January.

The plan would require high school students to carry laptops and take online courses. Idaho would also tie some teacher pay to merit and award bonuses for taking on hard-to-fill positions and leadership roles, while eliminating tenure for new educators. Idaho would increase class sizes to help pay for the plan, shedding about 770 teaching jobs.

Lawmakers kicked off four days of public testimony on the overhaul Monday.