Kevin’s blog

House members are pro-Kristin Armstrong

It was an easy vote for lawmakers — and a unanimous vote. The House honored Boise Olympian Kristin Armstrong Monday.

Kustra: Idaho can’t shortchange higher ed

Boise State University has stretched limited dollars to accommodate growth — but the state needs to invest in higher education, says president Bob Kustra.

Senate Ed to look at four ISBA proposals

The Senate Education Committee and ISBA executive director Karen Echeverria are looking at a busy agenda this afternoon.

Kevin Richert

Teacher survey draws skeptical questions

An Office of Performance Evaluations survey painted a grim picture of teacher morale. After listening to an overview Thursday, senators had pointed questions for the surveyors.

A graphic approach to grading schools

Remember those X- and Y-axis charts from your math classes? Soon, you might be able to deploy your old-school graphing skills to track Idaho school performance.

Teachers and guns: what the law says

State schools superintendent Tom Luna talked to reporters Thursday about his budget proposal — and whether teachers should carry guns in school. Here’s what he had to say.

Lanza: Task force can’t afford to aim low

The eyes of Idaho are on the governor’s education task force, says group member Mike Lanza. Will the task force go big or play it safe?

Kevin Richert

Psychiatry in Idaho: the numbers

Psychiatrists are in short supply in Idaho. Here’s one way to look at the numbers.

Linden Bateman’s art of the signature

Let the record be clear: Rep. Linden Bateman is really serious about handwriting. And pretty darned good at the craft, too. On Tuesday morning, the House Education Committee introduced the Idaho Falls Republican’s proposal requiring elementary schools to teach cursive handwriting. Later that afternoon, Bateman stopped by the Statehouse press bullpen for a little impromptu…

Otter: State cannot cover $9 million for ‘equity’

The state does not have the money to erase several years of university funding inequity in one year, a spokesman for Gov. Butch Otter said Monday evening. In his budget presentation Monday, Boise State University President Bob Kustra appealed to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to find the “equity” money, intended to cover enrollment increases. The…