Rep. Steve Thayn, R-Emmett, says Idaho students could save up to $220 million over two years by compressing eight years of secondary and college education into six years.

“That money could be used for purchasing a house, a car or paying off debt, or decreasing the need to take out more student loans,” Thayn says in a PowerPoint presentation on YouTube.

A member of the House Education Committee and longtime champion of school reform, Thayn is a farmer and former Spanish teacher at Vallivue High School in Caldwell.

To reach biennial savings of $70 million to $220 million, Thayn says 30 to 50 percent of Idaho’s 21,000 K-12 students would need to earn between one year and two years of college credits while still in high school.

The plan begins in seventh grade, with students taking one online class. Students would then take two online classes each summer, earn seven credits per semester during the school year and take college-level classes during high school.

That would allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree after two full years in college, Thayn says.

The last two years of high school would be spent in college-level courses. “It is as if you were attending college while still in high school and participating in high school activities,” Thayn said.

Next year, Idaho will require high school students to take two online courses to graduate, the first such requirement in the nation. Three other states require one online course.

The new Idaho standard does not apply to junior high and is subject to repeal in the November 2012 election.

Thayn asks interested students and parents to contact him at 365-8656 or ssthayn@aol.com.

Dan Popkey: 377-6438