News

The latest and breaking news and investigative reports about Idaho public education.

Legislative roundup, 2.18.21: New bill would revive Strong Families grants

The bill would also create state scholarships for students who do not attend public schools.

Parents share how isolation has affected their children

EdNews met with five parents this week to discuss the things their children have missed the most during school closures amid a pandemic.

For some charters, enrollment decreases pose an immediate budget challenge

By and large, charter school enrollment has grown during the pandemic. But some charter schools saw a sharp decrease in enrollment — and a hit on their budgets.

Winter state tournaments tip off with attendance limits

Crowd limits will lead to mostly-empty gyms. Games will be video and audio streamed.

Legislative roundup, 2.17.21: Clow pushes for money for virtual charters

The Idaho Virtual Academy and Inspire Connections charters have accommodated thousands of new students during the coronavirus pandemic. Without at least $6 million, these schools will have to cut staff and cap enrollment, House Education Committee Chairman Lance Clow said.

“You’re going to send parents scrambling again,” he said.

Legislative roundup, 2.16.21: Senate passes advanced opportunities expansion, and a big tax bill surfaces

The Senate signed off on extending the state’s advanced opportunities program to private and parochial school students. Meanwhile, the first big tax relief bill of the year surfaced Tuesday.

Legislative roundup, 2.15.21: New labor negotiations bill introduced

If the bill passes, school districts would no longer have to participate in labor negotiations with the teachers’ union.

Pandemic poses challenges for students learning English

More than 1,700 children in the Boise School District are learning English as a second language.

Campus coronavirus roundup, 2.15.21: A flat week of case numbers

Case numbers fluctuated only slightly on Idaho’s largest campuses, including Brigham Young University-Idaho, which remains the state’s campus coronavirus hotspot.

Legislative roundup, 2.12.21: Bill emerges to split higher education budgets

The bill marks the latest chapter in a political tug of war between House conservatives and the state’s higher education leaders — specifically, Boise State University President Marlene Tromp.