Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
ACT study: Salary concerns dissuade students from teaching careers
High school students seem less interested in majoring in education, according to a recent 10-year study. It could take minimum teaching salaries of more than $50,000 to turn that around.
West Virginia jumps on the ’60 percent goal’ bandwagon
Only 34.7 percent of West Virginia’s adults hold a college degree or certificate, ranking lowest in the nation. By comparison, 40.6 percent of Idaho adults hold a degree or certificate.
State Board meets, takes no action on U of I personnel issue
For the second time this month, the board held a closed executive session to discuss an undisclosed personnel issue at the University of Idaho.
Mountain View contract talks head to mediation
Teacher pay is the main sticking point in the sprawling Idaho County district. Union negotiators say the district needs to fix flaws in its salary schedule.
Twin Falls charter school allows staffer to carry concealed firearm
Xavier Charter School joins a handful of districts and charters that allow employees to carry concealed firearms on campus.
Idaho FAFSA completion rate low — but improving
Only 49.5 percent of Idaho’s high school seniors have applied for federal college financial aid, according to a new study. Only seven states have a lower application rate.
Idaho’s college-readiness score, explained (or not)
According to U.S. News and World Report, 55.2 percent of Idaho students hit benchmark scores on college-placement tests in 2017. But that math remains a mystery.
Education Week: Studies raise doubts about pre-K benefits
The research suggests pre-K advocates “should invest time and effort in other methods that might achieve the goal of school readiness,” Education Week reported Thursday.
VanOrden rules out write-in bid for Legislature
The House Education Committee chairwoman considered a write-in bid after her upset loss in the May 15 Republican primary.
Ybarra has missed 12 State Board meetings since 2015
Sherri Ybarra’s attendance record ranks second-worst among the State Board’s eight members. Democratic nominee Cindy Wilson has labeled the GOP incumbent a “no-show superintendent.”