Romney taps Luna as education adviser

Idaho schools chief Tom Luna has been selected to join GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Education Policy Advisory Group.

The Idaho Republican Party announced Romney's selection of Luna Thursday with the following press release:

"TOM LUNA NAMED EDUCATION POLICY ADVISOR TO GOVERNOR ROMNEY

Boise, ID – Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney has named Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna as a member of his Education Policy Advisory Group. The group is composed of individuals with deep and diverse experience in a variety of roles across K-12 education, post-secondary education, and workforce training in both the public and private sectors.

“I am proud to announce the support of this impressive group of policy leaders who are devoted to expanding educational opportunities for students,” said Governor Romney. “Our education system is failing too many of our kids, and I look forward to working closely with these leaders to chart a new course that emphasizes school choice and accountability, the importance of great teachers, and access to quality, affordable higher education."

Superintendent Luna was selected because of his extensive experience in K-12 education at the local, state and federal levels and because of his work to improve Idaho’s education system, culminating in the passing of the most comprehensive education reform laws in the country, Students Come First, in 2011.

“I am excited to work with Governor Romney to improve education across the country,” Superintendent Luna said. “As Governor, he showed how states can truly put students first and raise academic achievement for all children. We have worked toward the same goals in Idaho, passing the most comprehensive education reform in the country to ensure every student can graduate from high school and go on to postsecondary education without the need for remediation. Now, we must make this is possible for every child in every state.”

On Wednesday, Governor Romney outlined his education policy agenda. He called for dramatic reforms that will expand parental choice, invest in innovation, and reward teachers for their results. Governor Romney’s vision is in line with Students Come First, the education reform efforts currently being implemented across Idaho.

One example is how he will work toward recruiting and rewarding great teachers in K-12 schools. Governor Romney’s plan would remove the barriers to talented individuals entering the teaching profession and offer rewards and incentives for great teachers currently in our public schools.

In Idaho, we are implementing a statewide pay-for-performance plan this year as part of Students Come First to recognize and financially reward Idaho’s great teachers and leaders to ensure the best and the brightest stay in the classroom, where they are needed most.

The Idaho Legislature appropriated $39 million in new money to be distributed to Idaho’s teachers and building principals next year in performance bonuses. At least 85 percent of educators will participate in some form of a bonus.

Teachers can earn bonuses for working in hard-to-fill positions, taking on leadership duties, or working in a school that raises student academic growth. The bonuses based on student achievement will first be awarded to entire schools or groups of teachers working toward a goal in Fall 2013 and continue every year going forward. The bonuses for hard-to-fill positions and taking on leadership duties are individual bonuses and will first be awarded in the 2014-2015 school year and continue every year going forward.

For more information on Governor Romney’s education plan, visit http://www.mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-view/2012/05/chance-every-child-0. For more information on Students Come First, visit www.studentscomefirst.org."