Voices

President Trump’s proposed budget calls for Congress to cease funding 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a cut that will impact youth and families in Idaho.

Congratulations, Mary Lynn Spiker, on the recognition of your outstanding contributions.

Idaho’s college saving program can make a dent in the cost of higher education and can serve as a state tax deduction.

To help reduce stress it’s important to think ahead and plan for the upcoming day or week.

I think every parent, student and teacher would rally behind thoughtful reform, geared specifically and solely to help the kids. In the meantime, we’re lucky enough to have a dynamic and thriving educational system intact here in Idaho.

We need to work together as a state on communicating effectively about the cost and value of higher education. At the University of Idaho, we’ve taken steps to make our application and admissions processes easier.

Our current system gives one person — the governor — too much power.

Despite words, task forces and good intentions, our education system is failing many of our students. Idaho ranks 39th in high school graduation rates and only 20 percent of our kids are college and career ready when they graduate. We must do better.

Yes, the world is a difficult and complex place that can be dangerous. But we need to stand for opportunity and understanding; optimism and realism can exist side by side.