Kevin’s blog

Parental rights, evaluation bills likely dead

The parental rights bill and the teacher evaluation bills both passed the House last week, but they’re unlikely to get a hearing in the Senate.

IEA: Many districts near ‘tipping point’

Patrons in 35 school districts approved school tax levies Tuesday, but many of these communities are “stretched extremely thin financially,” Idaho Education Association President Penni Cyr said Wednesday.

Legislative candidates: K-12 connections

Here’s a rundown — so far — or teachers or school administrators running for Legislature.

Balukoff: JFAC school budget falls short

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate also says Gov. Butch Otter has shortchanged recommendations from his own education reform task force.

Video vault: Three Monday links

Want to learn a little more about the K-12 budget, the Idaho Core Standards rollout, and the Meridian school levy? Tune in here.

Senate candidates spar on K-12 funding

Democratic challenger Nels Mitchell says Republican Sen. Jim Risch led Idaho schools on a “race to the bottom.”

Data security: Senate focuses on one bill

A student data security bill is headed to the Senate floor for review — and perhaps a revamping. Meanwhile, a bill surfaces to allow Idaho to preview questions on the state’s Common Core assessments.

Pre-K backers continue their push

Pre-K programs can better young people for a future in anything from high-tech college majors to the military, two early education advocacy groups said Tuesday.

JFAC leaves tech details on hold

Two small but contentious pieces of the $1.7 billion budget are unresolved — high school WiFi technology and the Schoolnet instructional management system.