KTRV Fox 12 Graduating Students Earlier Could Save Idaho a Lot of Money

Graduating Students Earlier Could Save Idaho a Lot of Money

Boise, Idaho -- Two Idaho lawmakers say graduating students early could save the state a lot of money and help kids pay for college.

Some consider education to be the most important of all government funded programs.

Certainly it's no surprise that a good chunk of the taxes collected are directed to education and, in times like these, legislators are forced to look at things differently.

"We're in a difficult time right now, so I think we need to start thinking of ideas that will improve education that won't cost the state any more money. And I think doing this approach may get us there," said State Rep. Branden Durst.

That approach includes taking students and providing them with the chance to move on to post secondary education earlier. For example, a high school sophomore could skip his or her junior year to become a senior and graduate a year early, saving the state from having to pay for that year of schooling.

According to the plan it would be open to all students in grades K-12, but would be a slightly different process for younger students.

"It would be more based upon skills and some content knowledge. So it's not going to be a fill in the test type of exam. They're going to have to demonstrate that they can read and do mathematics. So it's going to be a more skill-based at that level," said Thayn.

Thayn and Durst believe their bill, which was just printed Monday will allow for a system that rewards the students who want to move along at a faster pace and help out the state's bottom line in the process.

"Students being able to go in and show that they're interested and have the self-discipline to move forward that they can capitalize on that and improve not only themselves, but also to the benefit of the State and to their school districts," said Thayn.