Blake Jones
Statehouse roundup, 2.21.22: House votes to ban government mask mandates — again
Lawmakers traded verbal blows over what deserves to be called “science;” misinformation and mischaracterizations were spread; and though the mask mandate ban would apply to all government agencies, school mask mandates were in legislators’ crosshairs.
Statehouse roundup, 2.17.22: House votes to ban schools from running ‘repeat’ bond requests
School districts, which use bonds to pay for new facilities, would effectively have to wait a year to try again if they miss the two-thirds voter support they need to get bonds passed.
Statehouse roundup, 2.15.22: Curriculum adoption could change under new bills
INSIDE: Community college elections, substitute teacher qualifications and school levies could all see changes.
Statehouse roundup, 2.14.2021: Full-day kindergarten funding bill emerges
INSIDE: A new resolution decries “critical race theory” and “divisive content…appearing in school curriculum across the nation” that “seeks to disregard the history of the United States and the nation’s journey to becoming a pillar of freedom in the world.”
Statehouse roundup, 2.8.22: Little signs school staff health insurance bill
The move is aimed at helping districts and charter schools cover upfront costs of moving onto the state’s health insurance plan or negotiating their own plans with private providers.
Statehouse roundup, 2.3.22: School employee health insurance boost heads to governor
The Idaho Senate easily passed a bill Thursday that would establish a fund to hold more money for school employees’ health insurance.
Idaho Senate passes ‘self-directed learner’ bill
The proposal would allow high-performing students greater flexibility in their education, said the bill’s sponsor Sen. Steven Thayn, R-Emmett.
Idaho’s Teacher of the Year calls for changes in standardized tests
Todd Knight told lawmakers: Tests like the ISAT are too high stakes, have unclear questions, and “don’t foster a love of learning, nor do they nurture a growth mindset.”
Legislature primed for more ‘hot topic’ school standards debates in 2022
Pushing for a change, which has failed to gain traction in recent years, is “still the game plan” for the 2022 legislative session, the Legislature’s Senate Education Committee chair told EdNews this week.
State Board devotes $26 million to student data collection, after-school programs
The money comes from the latest and largest round of elementary and secondary school emergency relief dollars sent to Idaho through congressional coronavirus relief packages.