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.

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.