Kevin’s blog

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

Post Register: Smarty Ants pre-K app struggles to reach kids

State superintendent Sherri Ybarra touted the reading app as a free pre-K option “for all Idaho kids.” As of this month, only 343 students are on the app.

Boise State announces new rural scholarship

In order to qualify for the $1,000 scholarship, high school seniors must have a 3.0 GPA, a demonstrated financial need and live in a rural community.

Little: Social-emotional program is ‘the right thing to do’

“The challenges our students face are almost incredible,” said Gov. Brad Little, defending his $1 million proposal to train school employees in social-emotional issues.

Idaho’s social-emotional debate: a national perspective

“The reception Idaho leaders faced is a slice of pushback that occasionally bubbles up around the country as interest grows in social-emotional learning efforts,” Evie Blad of Education Week wrote Thursday.

Buckner-Webb will not seek re-election

Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise, has served in the Legislature for decade, including eight years in the Senate. She is the Senate’s assistant minority leader and she sits on the Senate Education Committee.

Superintendent Ybarra’s schedule: Feb. 17-20

Here’s state superintendent Sherri Ybarra’s weekly schedule, as posted on her website.

Video: This week’s ‘Idaho Reports’

Miss this week’s “Idaho Reports?” Catch it here.

Audio: ‘Idaho Matters’ Reporter Roundtable

If you missed this week’s Reporter Roundtable on Boise State Public Radio’s “Idaho Matters,” you can catch it here.

Boise State will purchase off-campus office complex

In time, Boise State will use the 90,000-square-foot building to house administrative offices, freeing up campus space for academic functions. Bonds and lease proceeds will cover the $22.5 million purchase price.