Kevin’s blog
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.”
Idaho is growing and growing older. Here’s what that means.
Idaho added nearly 37,000 residents from 2016 to 2017. One-third of them are senior citizens. That’s a big deal for school districts.
State tries to streamline college catalogs … by the numbers
The idea behind common course numbers is to make it easier for students to transfer credits, and give students a clearer idea of what they need to do to get a degree.
Study: Idaho teacher salaries rank lowest in nation
Idaho’s teacher salaries, adjusted for cost of living, rank lowest in the nation and come in 12 percent below the national average. That’s one finding from a larger national salary study from the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution.
Preston teacher pleads not guilty to animal cruelty
The Preston Junior High School teacher is accused of feeding a sick puppy to a snapping turtle. The case could go to a jury trial in October.
Twin Falls to hire 15 unarmed school security staffers
The $375,000 will come from a patchwork of one-time funding sources, and the district will re-evaluate the plan next year, the Twin Falls Times-News reported.