The Idaho State Board of Education has created an 18-member task force with the charge of looking at the current condition of middle schools, often thought of as the neglected segment of the K-12 continuum, and how they can better prepare students for the demands of high school. The task force, headed by State Superintendent Tom Luna and an Idaho State Board of Education member, is comprised of parents, educators, and members of the business community. Commenting on the importance of middle schools, Luna said, “Middle school is where you light the fire. High school is where you launch them onto the dreams of their choice. If we mess up in middle school and don’t light that fire, in too many cases, it is too late.”