Voices

Educators, community members and students share their opinions about Idaho education.

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State Board: There are only 374 great teachers in Idaho

That shockingly small number comes from a deliberate calculation to make the process so overwhelming as to hang up a sign that reads “need not apply” for the bulk of Idaho’s teachers.

Offer teachers technology ideas that work

A Google Expeditions project grew from a few devices into a districtwide initiative in Blaine County.

BYU Idaho shows importance of Blaine Amendment in LGBTQ firing

The Blaine Amendment is designed to protect citizens’ hard-earned tax dollars from subsidizing the churches and religious schools in Idaho.

Signing day events: The art of hyping students up for college

A school should treat graduating students like society treats top athletes. Invite parents, community members, political figures and media to cover college signing day celebrations.

Blaine Amendment loses its luster as block to education choice

Lawmakers, and candidates for the Legislature, governor and state school superintendent, should be on notice that they’ll be asked where they stand on education choice now that they can no longer run and hide behind the Blaine Amendment.

Ybarra unmoved as Idaho loses ground in school choice

Too many Idaho schoolchildren are stuck in a public school system that doesn’t meet their needs. It doesn’t have to be that way — other states are working to solve this problem. Idaho should be doing the same.

Idaho teacher leverages virtual reality for Spanish class

Technology such as virtual reality, when used in a meaningful way, can enhance student thinking and inspire creativity in the demonstration of new knowledge.

The paradox of ‘grit’

Maybe we have to teach kids that asking for help is okay, that letting go isn’t giving up, and that sometimes the only pathway to peace might also mean coming face to face with our own shadow and embracing it with love, empathy and compassion.

Idaho disses some of its best high schools

The State Department of Education has been providing data to the U.S. News and World Report that is inaccurate and unfair to some of the state’s top high schools.

Federal funding cut leaves Idaho communities in annual limbo

By restoring funding for the Secure Rural Schools program, the federal government would meet an obligation to rural residents, says Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho.