Idaho Education News

15/01/2025

The bill directs state agencies to create a report with laws that could be eliminated.

“I guarantee that you can go in some of these agencies right now…and they can tell you where the bodies are buried,” said House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star.

14/01/2025

Inside: Lawmakers drill into the State Board of Education’s growing budget, and a bill banning most flags in classrooms resurfaces.

Inside: Lawmakers drill into the State Board of Education’s growing budget, and a bill banning most flags in classrooms resurfaces.

13/01/2025

Charters that save money through the state's revolving loan and credit enhancement programs can reinvest it in instruction, said Matthew Joseph, senior policy adviser at ExcelinEd.

In other Statehouse news, Boise businessman Kurt Liebich makes his pitch for another five-year term on the State Board of Education.

13/01/2025

When Lakeland School District’s levy failed in November, everyone from trustees to teachers to parents had ideas of how to make the budget work.

But it’s the district’s head of finance who has to make those ideas pencil out.

When a budget crisis arises, finance leaders are often the linchpin to finding a solution.

10/01/2025

Legislative budget-writers are expected to vote next week on almost $12.9 billion in "maintenance" spending bills.

Legislative budget-writers are expected to vote next week on almost $12.9 billion in “maintenance” spending bills. INSIDE: Next steps on teacher pay raises.

10/01/2025

It’s a situation that’s becoming more common statewide and nationwide as enrollment numbers decline and pandemic-era stopgaps expire.

09/01/2025

“Women simply cannot compete against men,” said the resolution’s sponsor, Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls. “That’s just how it is.”

INSIDE: Twin Falls Republican introduces “personal bill” to create a $250 million private school tax credit program.

09/01/2025

Analysis: Boise State University has spent more than $1.5 million defending its case against Big City Coffee. Still in limbo: Nearly $3.7 million in jury damages to Big City, and Big City’s $1.7 million in legal fees.

Boise State University has spent more than $1.5 million defending its case against Big City Coffee. Still in limbo: Nearly $3.7 million in jury damages to Big City, and Big City’s $1.7 millio…

08/01/2025

The apprenticeships will include significantly more on-the-ground training for candidates than in traditional programs.

The program includes significantly more on-the-ground training for candidates than in traditional programs.

08/01/2025

Critchfield said she doesn’t believe Little would sign a bill that threatens public school funding. But she is concerned that future policymakers could remove guardrails on private education spending.

“I didn’t hear anything…that tells me he’s changed his mind around accountability or transparency, and I’ve had the same stance.”

07/01/2025

As this year's legislative session begins, brush up on how a bill becomes a law.

Bill to Law Process Infogram

07/01/2025

Idaho has enough teachers, “but not enough of the right teachers in the right places,” according to the report.

07/01/2025

Lawmakers and public school advocates had mixed reactions to Gov. Brad Little’s call for state spending on private education Monday.

A private school choice measure must be “fair, responsible, transparent and accountable,” said the governor in his annual address. INSIDE: His speech in full and budget proposal.

07/01/2025

Analysis: Gov. Brad Little on Monday earmarked $50 million for private school choice, $100 million for tax cuts and $50 million for a menu of education programs. He left himself plenty of room to negotiate with lawmakers.

Gov. Brad Little on Monday earmarked $50 million for private school choice, $100 million for tax cuts and $50 million for a menu of education programs. He left himself plenty of room to negotiate w…

03/01/2025

The legislative session starts Monday. Here's which education issues will be debated, according to political leaders from both parties.

Legislative leaders offered a peek into the upcoming debate over private school choice while the governor kept mum on his stance — for now.

03/01/2025

Listen to Kevin Richert and Ryan Suppe's pre-session conversation with Quinn Perry from the ISBA, Paula Kellerer with Idaho Business for Education and Matt Compton from the IEA. https://www.idahoednews.org/extra-credit-podcast/episode-99-a-pre-session-conversation/

Kevin Richert and Ryan Suppe’s pre-session conversation with Quinn Perry from the ISBA, Paula Kellerer with Idaho Business for Education and Matt Compton from the Idaho Education Association.…

02/01/2025

Analysis: With a sense of urgency — or, arguably, a whiff of desperation — Idaho higher education retreated on DEI. Political pressure is the most plausible explanation and the most likely impetus.

The political storm over diversity, equity and inclusion has been gathering for years. Yet in recent weeks, Idaho’s higher ed system has been in a desperate rush to stack up sandbags and put …

28/12/2024

The school is “the beating heart of the community,” said Superintendent Megan Sindt.

The Avery School District, where Calder is the only school, is the smallest district in North Idaho, one of the smallest in the state and has a budget of under $1 million.