Kevin’s blog

Expert analysis and the latest news from award-winning journalist Kevin Richert.

States without pre-K: eight and dropping

Two states are piloting state-funded pre-kindergarten programs — leaving Idaho on a shrinking list of states without state-funded pre-K.

‘Teach’ hits the road, airs in Moscow

The CBS documentary features Kuna Middle School teacher Shelby Harris. She will attend the Moscow screening, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center.

Secretary of state: Another candidate?

State Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, is considering running for the seat being vacated by 12-year GOP incumbent Ben Ysursa.

Ysursa won’t seek fourth term

A longtime fixture in the secretary of state’s office, Ben Ysursa was first elected in 2002.

Fired Pocatello teacher speaks out

Laraine Cook says the Pocatello School District is pushing to have her teaching certificate revoked. District officials aren’t talking.

K-12 interim committee live blog

The K-12 interim committee is in Boise today for a full day of hearings and presentations. Here’s our rundown.

Report: Idaho pre-K enrollment lagging

Less than a third of Idaho 3- to 4-year-olds from low-income households attend preschool, according to a newly released study.

Rising legislative opposition to Core?

Another state senator — Education Committee member Steven Thayn — is saying Idaho should walk away from the new Idaho Core Standards.

Fulcher: Lawmakers didn’t address Core

The 2011 Legislature passed a rule approving the math and English language arts standards. Fulcher was a member of the Senate Education Committee, which gave the rule the thumbs up.

District dumps idea of arming teachers

The idea of allowing teachers to bring guns into the classroom found scant support within North Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille School District.