News

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

Enrollment surges at CSI’s nontraditional teacher prep program

The College of Southern Idaho attributes the increase to demand for a more robust — yet still nontraditional — route to teacher certification in Idaho.

Student engagement surveys get mixed reviews and results

The state uses student surveys to track engagement, which is part of Idaho’s school accountability plan. Check inside for the top and bottom 10 elementary, middle and high schools.

Common Core ‘conundrum’: Lawmakers acknowledge difficulties with K-12 standards

Idaho’s version of Common Core helps define the skillsets possessed by high school graduates. But it also has its issues, House Speaker Scott Bedke told patrons during a Republican caucus meeting in Rexburg Monday.

Is Bingham Academy following commission-recommended improvement opportunites?

The embattled charter school is not posting contracts and timely agendas and expense reports on its website. And it continues to reimburse a retired leader.

DeVos deputy touts school choice on Idaho tour

Mitchell Zais visited an independent high school in Boise and a Caldwell charter school. While he says public schools are a good fit for most students, families deserve choices — and money should follow students where they choose to go.

Nampa transitions from A, B, C to 1, 2, 3

The district is moving to a 1-to-4 scoring system leaders say presents a more honest picture of student achievement.

Teton follows low-performing status with double-digit improvements

Administrators at the middle school made changes that led to better test scores.

K-12 task force takes a step back to focus on career readiness

State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield says there may be a disconnect between the education system Idaho says it has, and the system it actually has.

Schools use state dollars — and other funding — to jump into all-day kindergarten

At least 81 school districts and 16 charter schools offer full-day kindergarten to at least some of their students. The state’s growing “literacy initiative” is covering some of the cost, but not all of it.