Kevin’s blog
Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.
No surprises in Washington Post’s Idaho high school rankings
The national rankings are based on a simple average: the number of college-level exams taken by each graduating seniors. Nine Idaho schools made the Washington Post rankings.
In five seconds, the gubernatorial race gets even more interesting
Rep. Raul Labrador’s controversial town hall comment — “nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care” — adds even more intrigue to the 2018 elections.
Nampa narrows superintendent search
William Fritz, an assistant schools superintendent from Indian River, Fla., and Paula Kellerer, a dean at Nampa’s Northwest Nazarene University, are the two finalists for the opening.
An encouraging subset in Idaho’s graduation numbers
English language learners comprise a growing demographic in American high schools. And in Idaho, ELL student graduation rates eclipse the national average.
Dietrich seeks dismissal of $10 million civil lawsuit
The school district says students and staff saw no incidents of harassment or bullying before the grisly October 2015 attack on a mentally disabled student.
Wilder superintendent files against Ybarra
Jeff Dillon has named a campaign treasurer — a precursor to running against incumbent state superintendent Sherri Ybarra in the May 2018 GOP primary.
Trump issues executive order targeting federal education overreach
President Trump wants Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to scrutinize the feds’ role in K-12. Ultimately, however, the process could prove to be more symbolic than substantive.
U.S. News and World Report recognizes 18 Idaho high schools
In Idaho, only traditional high schools captured U.S. News and World Report’s annual honors. Meanwhile, charter and magnet high schools dominated the top of the national rankings.
Weather Channel focuses on Idaho’s science standards debate
A key takeaway from the lengthy report: Idaho is the only state where the Legislature has removed references to climate change from science standards.
CDA superintendent leaves for job in Washington state
Matthew Handelman had been Coeur d’Alene’s superintendent since 2013. He is leaving for a job with Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver, Wash.