Sherri Ybarra

SDE names new communications director

Mary McFarland, a former Eagle City Council member and business owner, will take over the post.

Education news from around Idaho

The State Department of Education is looking for a new communications director, and registration is open for the SDE’s prevention conference geared toward keeping Idaho schools and students safe.

Legislative roundup, 2.25.21: Ybarra’s in-person learning bill advances

Ybarra’s bill is the fourth major bill on school reopening legislators are considering this session.

Legislative roundup, 2.8.21: House Education kills Ybarra’s in-person learning bill

Legislators encouraged Ybarra to improve her bill and bring back a rewritten version.

Families file federal civil rights complaint against Wilder district

Parents of former students, a former teacher, and one current student, say the district doesn’t provide sufficient services for English Language Learners or students with disabilities.

Superintendents raise concerns about proposed Ybarra legislation

The group of Treasure Valley administrators said the proposed legislation “usurps” local control in emergencies.

Legislative academy centers on social and emotional learning

Retired four-star general Craig McKinley spoke with education and business leaders on Monday about the need to prioritize developing students’ social and emotional skills.

Analysis: Ybarra’s school safety remarks don’t stand up to fact-check

Idaho Education News took a closer look at what state superintendent Sherri Ybarra said about her controversial safety plan.

Analysis: In a testy superintendent’s debate, narratives come into sharp focus

The two candidates exchanged barbs early and often on Friday.

Wilson: Ybarra’s school security plan ‘dead on arrival’

“Any proposal that didn’t include stakeholder input is bad,” the Democratic state superintendent candidate said Wednesday, in a joint interview with KIVI 6 On Your Side and Idaho Education News.