Idaho Education News

Analysis: This year’s GOP primaries could be more unpredictable (and more important) than ever. Here’s why. Familiar faces. Enticing rematches. Bad blood. Good drama. The May election will be entertaining — and consequential.

Analysis: Familiar faces. Enticing rematches. Bad blood. Good drama. The May election will be entertaining — and consequential. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...

Statehouse roundup, 3.4.26: Lawmakers deadlock on bill punishing student protests In other news, a new bill cutting IDLA’s budget surfaced. And a fourth grader aced her assignment presenting a bill to lawmakers.

Also Wednesday, lawmakers introduced a new bill that would make cuts to the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance, the state's online learning platform. www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Shinn calls restructuring a long-term strategy, but says savings are unknown “We’re at the point now where trimming 1%, 2% out of every department is making every department just a little less ready to serve our students,” Boise State’s interim presi…

“We’re at the point now where trimming 1%, 2% out of every department is making every department just a little less ready to serve our students,” Boise State’s interim president told Idaho EdNews Wednesday. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/shi...

Major restructuring will merge two Boise State schools, and close a college It’s not immediately clear how many positions will be cut, but one dean has already left the university. Potential cost savings are another unknown.

Some breaking after-hours news in higher education tonight. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/maj...

Statehouse roundup, 3.3.26: Bill restricting public funds for teachers’ unions clears House In other news, a bill to change LC State’s name is mired in a House committee. Lawmakers introduced bills affecting the career ladder, facilities and busing.

In other news, a bill to change LC State’s name is mired in a House committee. Meanwhile, lawmakers introduced bills affecting the career ladder, facilities and busing. #idleg #idaho #idpol www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Statehouse roundup, 3.2.26: JFAC reverses cuts for community colleges and CTE Also Monday, lawmakers introduced a handful of new bills, including one that would block schools from accessing vaccination records from a state registry.

Also Monday, lawmakers introduced a handful of new bills, including one that would block schools from accessing vaccination records from a state registry. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

Idaho has $1.3 billion in rainy-day funds. Should that money help public schools? Republican Statehouse leaders say savings are meant for recessions, and spending reserves could harm the state’s credit rating.

Rainy-day funds would be a temporary fix to keep services fully funded after a string of tax cuts decreased state revenue.

GOP leaders say the money should be preserved for a recession and using it could harm the state's credit rating.

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ida...

Virtual charter school to launch despite questions over learning model Trailhead Virtual Academy took nearly two years to gain approval from Idaho’s charter commission. It’s set to open this fall.

School leaders have provided some details about their plan, but questions that prompted concerns during the approval process remain unanswered.
www.idahoednews.org/news/virtual...

Statehouse roundup, 2.27.26: New bill requires unexcused absence for student protests In other Friday news, a pair of new bills would revamp a disputed 2024 library law, and budget-writers remain at loggerheads over military scholarships.

In other Friday news, a pair of new bills would revamp a disputed 2024 library law, and budget-writers remain at loggerheads over military scholarships. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Statehouse roundup, 2.26.26: This time around, a high-needs special education bill passes the Senate In other Thursday news, a new bill would mandate at least 20 minutes of daily outdoor recess in elementary school, “guaranteeing every student time to move, play, and grow.”

The proposal now goes to the House, which narrowly passed a similar bill a year ago. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

Analysis: As the session continues, a semester of uncertainty unfolds on campuses The funding picture for Idaho higher ed could become clearer  — and more grim — in the next few days. But the budget cuts are already affecting students and staff.

Analysis: The funding picture for Idaho higher ed could become clearer — and more grim — in the next few days. But the budget cuts are already affecting students and staff. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...

Statehouse roundup, 2.25.26: A late-session funding formula bill emerges In other news, lawmakers advanced a civics diploma endorsement and introduced new bills relaxing rules for home-schoolers to participate in public-school sports.

In other news, lawmakers advanced a civics diploma endorsement and introduced new bills relaxing rules for home-schoolers to participate in public-school sports. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Public schools will be forced to cut budgets — even if state funding remains flat Local school leaders hope to counter messaging from the Statehouse that they’ve been held harmless by the state’s tightening budget.

Local school leaders are countering Statehouse messaging that they've been held harmless by the state's tightening budget.

www.idahoednews.org/top-news/pub...

Schools continue to work out kinks in new statewide reading test Some districts, like West Ada, spent thousands of dollars on headphones to improve test accuracy.

School districts across Idaho are figuring out what works best for testing young students from headphones to the number of test takers at a time, to what device kids use.
www.idahoednews.org/news/schools... #literacy #idedu #reading #amira

Statehouse roundup, 2.24.26: Lawmakers OK bill to give military preference on charter waitlists In other news, the House passed a bill mandating a morning moment of silence in school.

Also Tuesday, lawmakers took action on bills dealing with K-12 administrator qualifications, moments of silence in schools, a federal school choice program and more.

Meanwhile, the governor signed a bill on university president searches.

Read our coverage:
www.idahoednews.org/news/stateho...

Most Idaho families say they have school choice, survey finds Of 425 Idaho families surveyed, below half are very satisfied with their child’s school.

The State of Educational Opportunity in America survey was released this month.
www.idahoednews.org/news/most-id... #schoolchoice #idaho #k12

Grangeville to run levy in May, principals step into superintendent roles Pulling off Idaho’s first district deconsolidation in 20 years is a heavy lift for a small-town school board.

It has been a busy few weeks for the 10 Mountain View trustees.
www.idahoednews.org/news/grangev... #idedu

Statehouse roundup, 2.23.26: Far-ranging civics bill introduced Also Monday, a divided House committee printed a bill requiring the state to review — and vote to renew — its $2 billion-a-year matrix of sales tax exemptions.

The civics bill says Idaho graduates should embody five “cardinal virtues:” prudence, justice, fortitude, moderation and patriotism. #idaho #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

‘We would never recover:’ Kellogg schools face high-stakes levy redo Local leaders say art, PE, Marine ROTC programs and 70 jobs are on the line as they prepare to run the measure again in May.

Local leaders say art, PE, Marine ROTC programs and 70 jobs are on the line as they contemplate running the measure again in May.
www.idahoednews.org/news/we-woul... #idedu

Statehouse roundup, 2.20.26: JFAC approves tax conformity funding, rejects military scholarships In other news, a bill mandating a morning period of silence in public schools cleared a House committee.

In other news, a bill mandating a morning period of silence in public schools cleared a House committee. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/news/stateho...

Statehouse roundup, 2.20.26: JFAC approves tax conformity funding, rejects military scholarships In other news, a bill mandating a morning period of silence in public schools cleared a House committee.

Friday capped a busy week for spending and policy debates impacting education.

Read our Statehouse coverage here: www.idahoednews.org/news/stateho...

Analysis: Lawmakers show signs, maybe, of recognizing a special education crisis After neglecting a $100 million budget gap — and the needs of 41,200 Idaho students — lawmakers have two relatively low-cost chances to put their money where their mouth is.

Analysis: After neglecting a $100 million budget gap — and the needs of 41,200 Idaho students — lawmakers have two relatively low-cost chances to put their money where their mouth is. #idedu #idpol #idleg www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...

Statehouse roundup, 2.18.26: Committee rejects bill to tighten rules around K-12 spending In other news, the State Board of Education approved a medical lab expansion in the Treasure Valley.

Also Wednesday, the State Board of Education approved a proposal to expand medical labs at Idaho State University’s Meridian campus. www.idahoednews.org/news/stateho...

Statehouse roundup, 2.17.26: Little says his budget options are limited Also Tuesday, the House approved a bill banning LGBTQ+ instruction in classrooms, and the Senate OK’d a resolution calling on Congress to boost special education funding.

Also Tuesday, the House approved a bill banning LGBTQ+ instruction in classrooms, and the Senate OK'd a resolution calling on Congress to boost special education funding. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Statehouse roundup, 2.16.26: Bills updating school facilities funds head to House Also Monday, a Nampa Republican introduced a bill that would mandate when public schools start the academic year.

In other Monday news, a new bill would mandate all K-12 schools to open the Tuesday after Labor Day. #idaho #idleg #idpol www.idahoednews.org/legislative-...

50 years and counting … Twin Falls teacher has no plans to retire She loves school and she loves the kids. And she’s the longest active teacher in Idaho.

It’s simple. She likes school, she likes teaching and she likes kids.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/50-...

Charter commission posts first annual report in years, renews 3 certificates Commissioners also revisited prior confusion over their approach to renewals from a prior meeting.

The report details the academic and financial health of 59 charter schools that serve 29,500 students across Idaho.
www.idahoednews.org/news/charter... #charterschools #idaho

Statehouse roundup, 2.12.26: Little signs One Big Beautiful Bill tax cuts In other news, a bill to keep university president searches mostly secret is headed to the governor’s desk. And lawmakers advanced a proposal banning K-12 instruction on sexual orientation.

Idaho will adopt most of the tax cuts in President Donald Trump’s omnibus policy law — and make the tax cuts retroactive to 2025.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/sta...

Idaho’s graduation rate remains flat at 82.3% The state narrowly missed its goal of 82.5%, despite 21,809 students graduating on time.

The stagnation comes after a 10-year high in 2024 and breaking the state’s goal of 81.6%.
www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ida... #idedu

Analysis: No education program is safe this year, and that could affect students and parents A $10 million cut to Idaho Launch could leave as many as 1,250 high school graduates on their own this fall. Proposed cuts to the state’s brand-new private school tax credit law could leave as many…

Analysis: A $10 million cut to Idaho Launch could leave as many as 1,250 high school graduates on their own this fall. Proposed cuts to the state’s brand-new private school tax credit law could leave as many as 900 Idaho families out of luck. #idleg #idaho www.idahoednews.org/top-news/ana...