News

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

Pocatello educators win ‘Oscars’ of teaching — and $25,000 each

Two teachers from the same district garnered national recognition last month, along with an unexpected cash prize for their leadership and innovation in their classrooms. Here’s how they do it.

Idaho’s version of the Common Core never quite fit. What’s next?

The state’s decade-old K-12 learning standards have had a long and simmering history. Legislators finally replaced them, but what happens now?

The 2022 Legislature gavels out: Let’s review the historic year for education

Here’s a recap of the impacts on teachers, school employees, parents, students and taxpayers.

Schools hesitant to join Idaho’s health insurance plan with incoming funding boost

Administrators worry added funding won’t cover the cost of the state’s comparatively low-premium, high-benefit plan for all employees.

Little vetoes bill that would continue funding schools based on enrollment

While the state’s default is to divide up K-12 funding based on average daily attendance, the State Board of Education — comprised mostly of Little appointees — has voted to temporarily switch the state over to enrollment-based funding in each of the last two school years to delink school funding from volatile pandemic-era attendance numbers.

Analysis: The library logjam, and a budget debate that has nothing to do with dollars

The debate over $3.5 million in libraries overshadowed a bigger theme: The education budgets were a big win for Gov. Brad Little, and disastrous for the Idaho Freedom Foundation and its Statehouse disciples.

West Ada names new trustee

Trustees in the state’s largest school district chose Lucas Bacaylon from a pool of four finalists during a special meeting Tuesday.

Legislature’s powerful budget committee to have fresh faces in 2023

At a minimum, four of JFAC’s 20 members will be out next year. Depending on election results, 15 could be new.

CSI president appointed to state charter commission

Dean Fisher’s appointment to the seven-member panel is effective until May 2023, when the governor may appoint him to a full four-year term.

Statehouse roundup, 3.25.22: Legislature passes libraries budget, heads closer to adjournment

Earlier Friday, the Senate sent a $46.6 million K-3 literacy funding boost and a $50 million budget for an education grant program to Gov. Brad Little’s desk.