News
The latest and breaking news and investigative reports about Idaho public education.
Feds call for changes to Idaho’s ESSA plan
Idaho education leaders will ask for an extension, hoping to re-submit the plan to the feds by the end of the month.
Top education stories of 2017
You may have missed some of our top stories in 2017, but don’t worry — here’s a recap of the year’s top education stories in Idaho, and the issues surrounding them.
Ybarra calls for change to controversial student survey plan
Idaho plans to use student surveys to help identify the lowest performing public schools. But administrators say the survey the state picked is biased and they worry what the news media will do with the responses.
State Board OKs Sugar-Salem annexation request
The decision could boost Sugar-Salem’s meager tax base — which is the lowest in the state, per student.
High levels of teacher attrition drive educator shortages
More Idaho teachers leave their jobs before retirement age than the national average.
Christy Perry, candidate for Congress
State Rep. Christy Perry says Congress should scrutinize federal education programs, to make sure they are working as advertised — and helping students at risk.
State Board seeks to increase scholarship investment
Officials hope that investing in a popular state scholarship will improve the affordability of college for more Idaho high school graduates.
Optimistic Ybarra awaits news from feds on Idaho’s compliance plan
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is making her list and checking it twice before informing Idaho education leaders whether their ESSA plan will make the cut.
Kindergarten reading scores hit an 11-year low
Third-grade reading scores hit their highest mark in more than a decade.
But “summer melt” appears to be a continuing issue, even as the state spends money to provide struggling readers extra help during the school year.
Education news around Idaho
The College of Eastern Idaho names a president, a new charter school is set to open in Boise and Blue Ribbon school nominees are announced.