News

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

It’s business as usual at the SDE, despite impending transition

Either Republican Debbie Critchfield or Democrat Terry Gilbert will replace two-term superintendent Sherri Ybarra come January.

Feds urge schools to reexamine discipline of students with disabilities, calling it ‘an urgent need’

The Biden administration is watching how schools treat students with disabilities as the effects of the pandemic drag on.

After $6 million, Idaho’s online higher ed program moves closer to launch

Federal coronavirus aid has paid to build Online Idaho, a portal designed to help students take online college courses from all over the state. So far, only one student has registered through the program, but a State Board of Education pilot is planned for fall semester.

In the wake of a pandemic loss, a Pocatello student overcame the odds to graduate

Summer school, caring adults, and perseverance made all the difference for them to overcome the odds and earn their diploma

Idaho Lottery gives record $73 million to state agencies

The lottery money that goes to K-12 schools is about 2% the size of the general fund budget, which currently sits at $2.1 billion.

The state of learning loss: 7 takeaways from the latest data

Research shows that test scores predict — not perfectly, but with some accuracy — whether students will finish high school, succeed in college, and earn a good living.

Measuring up college entrance exams: Are they necessary, fair, or valid?

While SAT and ACT test scores are losing their prominence and power, in some cases they can still open or close doors to scholarships, prestigious universities, and high-paying careers. And those factors can be life-changing.