Jennifer Swindell

Managing editor and CEO Jennifer Swindell founded Idaho Education News in 2013. She has led the online news platform as it has grown in readership and engagement every year, reaching over two million pageviews a year. Jennifer has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. She also has served as a public information officer for Idaho schools and as a communication director at Boise State University. She can be reached at [email protected].

Trustees learn about Idaho’s developing education policies

The State Board of Education and the State Department of Education held information workshops during the annual trustees convention.

Bullying data remains unavailable

Officials at the State Department of Education say they are still collecting and verifying information from districts and charters.

Education groups say they were shunned by the State Department of Education

Two leaders of associations that include hundreds of trustees and thousands of teachers say they were not consulted for the drafting of a school accountability plan designed to comply with new federal laws.

Idaho’s ESSA draft plan isn’t done yet, but it’s close

The State Department of Education will hold a series of five forums to gain feedback on its draft plan. The forums begin Tuesday night when the plan will be officially unveiled.

Winslow says collecting new data ‘is doable’

The executive director of the Idaho Association of School Administrators says his board members aren’t concerned about sharing out the new metrics, only the time commitment of the collection process.

Survey says: Kids don’t always do what they say they’re going to do

About 73 percent of Treasure Valley graduating seniors said they planned to continue their education — yet Idaho’s go-on rates hover around 50 percent.

State Department seeks vendor to revamp elementary reading test

State superintendent Sherri Ybarra is looking at replacing the 20-year-old Idaho Reading Indicator, a statewide assessment for students in grades K-3.

Twin Falls superintendent to retire next year

Wiley J. Dobbs will stay on the job for 12 more months as the board searches for his replacement.

Most districts, charters make school practice more transparent

Almost every Idaho superintendent made improvements to their websites, posting updated expenditures, contracts and strategic plans — requirements of state law.

State Board to ‘reconsider’ Monday’s actions after transparency complaints

In response to media reports suggesting the public was not adequately notified about the “special board meeting” or the agenda items, state board leaders plan to do the meeting over.