Featured Series

Stories about Idaho’s educators, students and policy makers plus features on bright spots in Idaho education.

Two themes dominate ‘listening session’

50 people spoke during Friday’s 2 1/2-hour hearing.

K-12’s stake in the tax debate of the year

Gov. Butch Otter wants to repeal the personal property tax, an unpopular tax levied on business equipment and supplies. Some key legislators and lobbyists are on board. For K-12, an estimated $38.6 million is on the line.

ISBA collective bargaining bills introduced

Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde calls the bills a “toned-down” rewrite of Students Come First’s collective bargaining language. Sen. Branden Durst, D-Boise, called it “Luna laws (version) 2.0.”

Best practices presented to task force

The Education Task Force spent the morning listening to local and national experts talk about what works in education. The task force then spent the afternoon in five working groups, brainstorming ideas for improving student achievement.

Bill returns money to districts

Bill sponsor Rep. Reed DeMordaunt says without action, schools face a $30.6 million penalty following repeal.

2014 budget: Luna seeks 3 percent increase

Superintendent Tom Luna proposes an increase in overall education funding, an increase in teacher pay and he recommends funding the ideas produced by the governor’s education task force.

2013 budget: Put money back into education

Schools chief Tom Luna says money left in limbo because of Students Come First repeal must return to funding schools.

Pie Day draws a crowd at the Statehouse

Home-schoolers say thank you lawmakers.

U of I seeks to expand Boise law school

It may sound like a lawyer-joke punchline, but it’s not. The University of Idaho says the state isn’t producing enough lawyers — imposing a “hidden tax” on Idahoans who need legal help.