R.J. Kost

Sen. R.J. Kost, R-Powell, attended a meeting of the Education Commission of the States in Washington, D.C., the week of July 12.

As a result of COVID-19 restrictions this was the first time that a meeting had been held since Kost’s appointment to the commission two years ago.

“What this was, was different states talking about what they’re doing in education,” Kost said.

The commission meeting featured a speech from national teacher of the year Kurt Russell, four students (two in college and two high school seniors) who talked about the impact that COVID-19 had on their education and the assistant to the head of education.

Along with the impact of COVID-19, topics also included student centered education, declines in students seeking a college education and declines in teacher retention.

“There were some who talked about how we need to pay them [teachers] more and that’s the easy answer, not the right answer,” Kost said in response to teacher retention.

Kost who is on Gov. Mark Gordon’s reimagining and innovating the delivery of education (RIDE) committee, put particular emphasis on the discussion of student centered education (SCE). 

“What SCE is, is one: students taking more ownership of their education. Two: [it’s] making sure that what we’re teaching students becomes not only valuable in their everyday lives but whatever vocation or career path they’re looking to,” Kost said.

SCE is “not entirely individualized” education and Kost mentioned that competency based education and SCE “go together pretty closely.”

Kost added that the discussions at the event gave him new ideas about education to bring to the RIDE community. 

“Hopefully through the process of education we help develop people who can say I have an idea,” Kost said.