2016 Idaho Legislature
The rules of engagement, Statehouse style
The Senate Education Committee gets down to work by reviewing a series of state rules. And one hit a snag.
Powdered alcohol ban proposed
The state’s Liquor Division is worried that “Palcohol” could be smuggled into school cafeterias or sporting events.
Analysis: Otter sets tone for K-12 funding — and a quiet session
Gov. Butch Otter tried to set priorities, and a tone for the 2016 legislative session. He wants lawmakers to set a budget, backfill the “K-through-career” school system — and go home.
Otter calls for 7.9 percent increase in education funding
The governor used Monday’s State of the State address to roll out a new literacy program designed to help improve reading scores of the Idaho’s youngest students.
A big boost in K-12 spending: a foregone conclusion?
Heading into the legislative session, the early indications point to a significant boost in K-12 spending for 2016-17.
Bedke: Pre-K push unlikely in 2016
However, lawmakers are likely to look at moving some school trustee races onto the November general election ballot.
Otter pledges to address high school graduation rates
Idaho’s governor said he was “surprised” by the new graduation rates and pledged to unveil proposals Monday that will be designed to increase graduation rates.
SBAC likely to face another test at the Statehouse
Legislators have never mounted a serious challenge to Common Core — but could they decide to dump the exam aligned to those standards?
New federal law could change K-12 debate at statehouses
The unpopular No Child Left Behind federal education law is history — and that could reshape the way K-12 policy is debated in the states.
Idaho’s supplemental levy bill increases again
Even as state K-12 funding rebounds, an increasing number of school districts continues to rely on help from local property taxes.