News

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

LEAs dish out nearly $100 million to fill gap in state funding for classified staff

Districts and charters pay the added costs with discretionary funds or funding sources like supplemental levies, “potentially taking away money that could be spent elsewhere,” the Office of Performance Evaluations report states.

Rural teacher incentive program receives 764 applications

83% of applicants request repayment of educational loan while 17% request reimbursement of educational expense.

Analysis: The ‘v-word’ that dominates Idaho’s school choice debate

Critics use vouchers as a convenient catchall description for all school choice programs. School choice proponents say that’s misleading. Neither side is entirely wrong.

This year, taxpayers will shell out a record $596.1 million for education bonds and levies

Taxpayers will give $217.4 million — a slight decrease — via supplemental levies to local schools this fiscal year

Poll reveals mixed ratings for Idaho education, lack of knowledge on school choice

A panel of legislators agreed that expanding schooling options for families will be a priority in the 2023 session.

Higher ed news items: ISU receives $10 million donation for scholarships

In other items, students at The College of Idaho come away with honors from a model United Nations event, and a State Board of Education official will chair a Western cooperative.

Reclaim Idaho launches petition against school vouchers

Some conservative lawmakers have pushed for a variety of school choice options, such as education savings accounts, tax credit programs or scholarship funds.

State expects to disperse $50 million Empowering Parents grants by mid-January

Idaho parents with adjusted gross income at or below $60,000 have until 8 p.m. on Friday to submit an application and qualify for the first wave of prioritized funding.

Critchfield announces four more key hires

“My goal is to be able to serve on day one, and filling key positions is a reflection of this priority,” the state superintendent-elect said in a news release.