Both candidates for Idaho’s schools chief job, Republican Sherri Ybarra and Democrat Jana Jones, were in the audience last night as two nationally known school superintendents spoke in Boise on improving schools, reports Idaho Education News. The “Super Supers” presentation featured former Massachusetts schools chief David Driscoll and former Florida schools chief Eric Smith; former Maryland schools chief Nancy Grasmick also had been scheduled to attend, but canceled because of an injury.

The two, whose talk was sponsored by the Albertson Foundation, said Idaho needs to ensure equality for all kids, stabilize school funding and master teacher evaluations, reports Idaho EdNews reporter Jennifer Swindell; her full report is online here. Both were excited about new Common Core standards and assessments. “You will see for the first time in history, millions and millions being tested on the same level,” Driscoll said. “We will have strong standards and strong assessments and finally we’ll know what we need to work on.” Added Smith, “We’ve got to stay with it.”