Education groups and legislators are meeting behind the scenes in hopes of introducing a funding bill by next week.
As other states boost pre-K funding, Idaho misses out on share of federal grants
The State Department of Education could not pursue a share of $241 million in federal grants, because it cannot use state dollars as a funding match. Idaho is one of only four states that does not fund pre-K, according to a new study.
Rapid fire: JFAC approves $1.9 billion in K-12 school budgets
Budget-writers agreed — unanimously — to put an additional $49 million into the teacher salary career ladder, and double literacy program funding to $26 million. The seven budget bills now go to the House and Senate.
Kevin's Blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
CSI working on weekend course program
Wayne Hoffman’s big disclaimer on public schools
Superintendent Ybarra’s schedule: Feb. 18-22
Blaine County disputes Ybarra’s mastery ‘waiting list’
State finds ‘financial distress’ at Blackfoot charter schools
A lack of “strong internal controls” of finances has fueled cashflow challenges at the schools, according to an investigation by the Idaho Public Charter School Commission.
Statehouse roundup, 2.15.19: Senate passes turnaround schools bill; rules fight heats up
Sen. Dean Mortimer’s voluntary turnaround bill now heads to the House, where a similar bill stalled out a year ago.
Statehouse roundup, 2.14.19: Charter administrators bill heads to Senate floor
In other news, a Nampa student gets a hearing on a bill to give high-achieving students a more flexible high school schedule.
Voices
Educators, community members and students share their opinions about Idaho education.
Become a guest author.
Need based-aid helps bridge the gap
School funding formula rewrite is a dud
State Board approves University of Idaho president’s request for leave
The plan would allow outgoing President Chuck Staben to return to teaching at U of I in 2020 and earn no less than the highest paid full professor in the college.
Sami Edge joins Idaho Education News
She will focus on reporting with an eye toward multimedia and storytelling innovation.
Monday’s big K-12 budget hearing: what to watch for
Lawmakers will make decisions that could dictate where the state’s public school dollars go — and set the stage for other spending bills down the road.
Jefferson promotes Martin to superintendent
He’s been with the district for several years and was selected from a pool of 18 candidates.
Bonneville names new superintendent
Scott Woolstenhulme will replace outgoing superintendent Chuck Shackett at the end of this school year.
Idaho’s ‘go-on rate’ shows no improvement
Fewer than 45 percent of the state’s high school graduates went straight to college last fall. Despite a multimillion-dollar campaign to encourage students to continue their education, this number has remained stagnant.
Insurance company to cover stolen funds in Teton
The more than $300,000 will reimburse what the district lost to an email scam.
Statehouse roundup, 2.13.19: Teacher pay raise bill unveiled; guns-in-schools bill on hold
Gov. Little has changed his salary proposal since January’s State of the State address.
Statehouse roundup, 2.12.19: Executive session bill introduced, STEM opportunity for teachers
Under the bill, school boards with vacancies could enter into executive session based on a majority vote.
Boise’s Marian Pritchett school to shift to hybrid model
The school has served pregnant teens since 1964. But enrollment has dropped sharply in the past two years, and the district will cut back on the school’s on-site faculty.
Statehouse roundup, 2.11.19: New immunization opt-out bill surfaces
In other Statehouse news, an East Idaho school district says an Idaho Falls legislator jumped the gun on a sex education bill.
‘Irreplaceable’ teacher retires after 40 years
Steve Wilder helped grow the West Ada School District’s agricultural program from three to 13 teachers.
House Education Committee introduces sex education ‘opt-in’ bill
The bill’s sponsor says parents’ rights have been overstepped through obscene classroom materials that are “sexualizing our kids.”
AG outlines renewal conditions for embattled charter school
The state is recommending changes to the school’s financial practices, training for trustees and improved academic achievement.
Kevin's Blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
CSI working on weekend course program
The “Weekend College Plus” program will be geared toward nontraditional students and Hispanic students, the Twin Falls Times-News reported.
Wayne Hoffman’s big disclaimer on public schools
“I don’t think government should be in the education business,” the executive director of the Idaho Freedom Foundation wrote Friday, in a guest opinion that ostensibly weighs in on the school funding formula rewrite.
Superintendent Ybarra’s schedule: Feb. 18-22
Heading the schedule: Monday’s legislative budget hearing, as the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee draws up the 2019-20 budget requests for K-12.
Blaine County disputes Ybarra’s mastery ‘waiting list’
Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes is the third administrator to question the list, which state superintendent Sherri Ybarra has touted in her push to expand Idaho’s mastery pilot.
Voices
Educators, community members and students share their opinions about Idaho education.
Become a guest author.
Need based-aid helps bridge the gap
Gov. Little’s Opportunity Scholarship proposal represents much-needed investment in our students, our state and our shared future.
School funding formula rewrite is a dud
“To the degree that we’re stuck with it, the Legislature should pass a school funding formula that empowers students to pursue the best education for themselves.”