News
The latest and breaking news and investigative reports about Idaho public education.
Little embraces the literacy issue — for the long haul
Gov. Brad Little knows it will take a sustained effort to improve literacy in Idaho. But he says everything else in education will build off of it. “I can’t have them college and career ready if they’re not literate.”
Idaho schools recognized for helping at-risk students
All four schools are recognized for achieving high scores, or closing academic gaps, with a student population greater than 40 percent low-income students.
All-day kindergarten takes off in Idaho. Is pre-K next?
Idaho’s literacy program is already reshaping early education — changing the school day for thousands of young children, and offering new options to their parents.
Two years in, teachers are still learning about Idaho’s new reading test
By and large, teachers say the new Idaho Reading Indicator provides better data and timelier information than its predecessor. But some teachers and parents concede the online format poses problems.
Marsh Valley trustees secretly approve contract extension, pay raise for superintendent
The board chair justified the process, saying, “This is the same process the board has followed for at least 16 years.”
Young readers face demographic hurdles — some obvious, others subtle
“We can’t hang our hat on that we can’t get the job done because we can’t control the kids we get,” said Debbie Critchfield, president of the State Board of Education.
What’s working: Reading success stories from five Idaho schools
Some of Idaho’s reading success stories are unfolding in remote, rural schools. Scores are improving significantly. Student growth far exceeds the statewide rate.
By the numbers: How schools spend reading money, and define success
Every fall, school districts and charter schools must explain how they spend their share of literacy money. They also have to set goals, though some schools seem to take goal-setting more seriously than others.
Reading realities: Idaho is far from its lofty literacy goals
Moving the needle on reading — and preparing young kids for the world that awaits them — will take time. And money.
K-12 task force issues report, as Little prepares for 2020 session
Gov. Brad Little says his K-12 task force’s work will “form the basis of my education budget and policy recommendations for the 2020 legislative session and beyond.”