Featured Series
Stories about Idaho’s educators, students and policy makers plus features on bright spots in Idaho education.
Students came from the across the globe — and stayed in Caldwell
International student enrollment fell precipitously during the pandemic. But the College of Idaho grew its international student community, by supporting students who had to stay in school and couldn’t go home.
Even as the pandemic recedes, students might not return to campus
Is Idaho’s college enrollment decline a blip, caused by the coronavirus, or a sign of a bigger trend? Many of the early numbers for 2021-22 are ominous.
The student experience: adjusting to classes and campus life in a pandemic
For first-year students and for returning college students, the coronavirus was a constant specter, looming over an uncertain school year.
Eighteen months, 5,000 students: Idaho colleges and universities face a deep enrollment decline
Not unlike the scientists and infectious disease experts who have tried to unlock the mysteries of the coronavirus, college and university officials have been trying to determine the pandemic’s effects on their institutions. Here’s what we know about 2020-21.
Why they showed up: Three students tell their stories
For students who returned to campus for the 2020-21 school year, showing up was a matter of setting aside concerns about the coronavirus, or accepting required protocols.
Parents filed a federal complaint against an Idaho school district. A state audit showed similar problems
An audit of Wilder School District’s English Language Learner programs found issues in 18 of 23 areas reviewed for compliance with state and federal law.
Statements show thousands of dollars worth of unexplained purchases at Ammon charter school
Expense reports lack details about what school leaders bought from places such as TJ Maxx, Netflix and area grocery stores.
Terry Ryan transformed Idaho education. He’s not done yet.
The controversial out-of-stater has influenced the addition of 12,000 public charter seats in Idaho. He plans to add thousands more, causing a disruption to traditional schools.
New State Board president aims to draw Idaho’s leaders back into consensus over education priorities
“If we don’t have alignment with the Legislature on what’s important, and they don’t support it and fund it, we’re not going to get anything done,” said Kurt Liebich.
Charter commission probes $11,500 in unexplained payments at Ammon school
New details about an ongoing investigation into the school revolve around credit card purchases totaling $9,316.07 from October to December 2020, and $2,176.16 in “reimbursements” to employees dating back to July.