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Analysis: A $30 million testing plan won’t erase schools’ COVID-19 challenges

Because the testing program is voluntary, it won’t do any good in some schools. And even where the tests take place, parents might not get data they can use to make informed decisions about their kids’ health and safety.

Thousands of West Ada parents line up to opt their children out of masking

A line extended around the building early Wednesday afternoon. Parents said it was a minor inconvenience.

Leaders contemplate mask mandates as school year begins

At least 13 Idaho districts and charters are requiring masks. West Ada decided to require staff to wear masks and students can opt out with a parent’s permission.

Fundraising for 2022: Little, Critchfield build big early advantages

Debbie Critchfield — who is stepping down from the State Board of Education next week — has already raised at least $92,000 for the state superintendent’s race, far outpacing incumbent Sherri Ybarra and Republican Branden Durst.

Beth Oppenheimer’s passion keeps her going: ‘We’re building a system’

She leads a charge to fund early learning programs in Idaho, against a conservative Legislature that regularly pushes back.

Idaho loses ground on the ISAT amid pandemic

The number of students considered “proficient” or “advanced” by the standardized test shrunk 5.5% in math and 1.5% in language arts from 2019 levels.

Tromp touts pandemic response — and sidesteps politics

Speaking at Albertsons Stadium, with Boise State’s trademark blue turf as a backdrop, Marlene Tromp’s message to students and staff felt like a pregame pep talk.

Analysis: The science backs up Idaho’s push for vaccinations

The vaccines are making a difference, but Idaho’s vaccination rates have slowed. What happens with vaccinations, right now, will go a long way toward determining what happens this fall in Idaho’s schools, and Idaho’s hospitals.