School Policy

Analysis: School trustees could mandate staff COVID vaccines. But would they?

There is nothing in Gov. Brad Little’s executive order that would stop school trustees and administrators from doing what the Treasure Valley’s hospitals did a week ago.

Feds hand down equity-focused rules for coronavirus relief spending

The new rules are meant to prevent states from cutting funding in districts that are receiving a larger share of per-pupil funding from the feds, effectively zeroing out built-in equity measures.

Education indoctrination task force members: updated list and bios

Members include an Idaho Freedom Foundation employee, a charter school leader who pushed to use the Bible in public schools and a reverend who appears to be a North Idaho evangelical Christian leader.

Students protest proposed restrictions on racism, sexism in Idaho school curricula

A proposal passed through a legislative committee shortly before a coronavirus-induced recess. The proposal could be on the docket as early as Tuesday when the legislative session resumes.

Miguel Cardona confirmed as education secretary

Senators voted 64 to 33 to approve Cardona, a former fourth-grade teacher and school principal. Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch both voted no.

Schools must still give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says

But schools won’t be held accountable for the results — and states could give shorter, remote, or delayed versions of the exams.

Back to school in 2021: a mixed picture

Each district is responding to the pandemic in its own way, but for many students the new year means a new shot at in-person learning.

Biden set to nominate Miguel Cardona as education secretary, sidestepping fraught policy debates

The Connecticut education commissioner is a former public school teacher.

Most districts and charters fail to comply with Idaho’s transparency laws

Only about 20 percent of schools update their websites with current expenditures, contracts and board documents, according to an EdNews review.

Athletic proposal would let more parents in games — with consequences if districts violate safety protocols

The plan would allow up to two spectators per student participant and enforce a series of safety protocols. Gov. Brad Little has not yet agreed to the proposal.