The bill is the latest salvo in a debate over social justice instruction in the schools — a battle that has brought education budget bills to a standstill.
Legislature
Legislative roundup, 4.16.21: House passes higher ed free speech bill
Some Republicans say the Protecting Critical Thinking in Higher Education Act, which gives students added grounds to sue colleges and professors, could be the linchpin to passing a higher ed budget.
Analysis: Little and Ybarra duck and dodge raging social justice debate
Other education leaders recognize the moment. This debate is about what happens in the classroom — and the claims, advanced by the Idaho Freedom Foundation and its legislative allies, that Idaho schools are becoming havens of liberal indoctrination.
Legislative roundup, 4.14.21: Senate goes on recess, saying, ‘We can’t move forward’
In a less-than-subtle rebuke of the House, the Senate wrapped up its floor session late Wednesday morning, and said it won’t reconvene until next week.
Legislative roundup, 4.13.21: House votes down teacher salary bill
The largest of the state’s K-12 budget bills, the teacher pay bill, now goes back to the drawing board. Opponents want language restricting schools from addressing social justice topics in the classroom.
Green: ‘Misinformation and half-truths’ threaten higher education funding
University of Idaho President C. Scott Green is urging alumni and business leaders to speak up for higher education funding. A critic of the higher education budget dismissed Green’s attacks as “spin.”
Legislative roundup, 4.12.21: Senate narrowly passes early education grant
The 18-17 vote kicks the controversial $6 million grant back to the House, which rejected an earlier version of the bill in March.
House revives bid to axe August school elections
After the Senate killed a proposal earlier in the session, the election change is back by a different legislative maneuver.
Legislative roundup, 4.8.21: Vaccine exemption bill heads to Senate floor; McGeachin plans indoctrination task force
“Idahoans are increasingly frustrated by the apparent lack of awareness and leadership coming from the state on these issues,” McGeachin said in a news release announcing the task force on school indoctrination.
Analysis: Lawmakers remain reluctant to put public dollars into private schools
School choice advocates almost got a private school bill through the Legislature, but fell short. After a year of turbulence in the classroom — and amidst a record-setting state surplus — they couldn’t have asked for a better opening.