2018 Idaho Legislature
Senate approves school board elections shift
Statehouse roundup, 2.28.18: The House approves a bonding “transparency” bill.
House Education calls for changes to teacher loan forgiveness bill
More news inside: Higher ed budget, mastery, STEM diploma and in-state residency requirements.
College scholarship program in line for a $3.5 million boost
The new money could fund an additional 1,042 scholarships — but it won’t cover all of the state’s unmet demand.
Coberly: Scholarship bill is ill-conceived and divisive
“We are worried that this issue will provide the spark for another fracture in Idaho’s education system,” Boise school Superintendent Don Coberly wrote Monday.
JFAC cuts budget to replace elementary reading test
Statehouse roundup, 2.26.18: The debate over replacing the state’s reading test heats up, House Education passes a bill encouraging schools to offer gun safety courses and more.
Unabridged, and official: Senate OKs science standards
The Senate Education Committee’s 6-3 vote brings an end to a three-year debate — and leaves references to climate change intact.
Free speech bill emerges; adult completer scholarship gets a hearing
Statehouse roundup, 2.21.18: The Senate Education Committee takes no action on Gov. Butch Otter’s proposal to get college scholarships into the hands of older students. A vote is expected Thursday.
Lawmakers zero out ‘CEO’ proposal
Wednesday morning’s vote does not kill one of Gov. Butch Otter’s top legislative priorities outright. But proposal appears to be all but dead.
Funding committee wants to continue its work into 2019
Statehouse roundup, 2.20.18: A compromise bill on electioneering zips through a House committee, while a “truth in bonding” bill is abruptly derailed.
Senate drills down into nitty gritty of science standards
A Senate Education Committee hearing focused on the finer details of the controversial standards — and especially the language the House Education Committee deleted a week ago. Senators are likely to vote next week.