State superintendent Debbie Critchfield spent another morning at the Statehouse — this time for a presentation to the House Education Committee.
She spoke of her vision for career-technical education across the state, one of her key priorities as the state’s foremost education leader.
The superintendent wants to see more CTE options for students, especially in rural Idaho, and she wants local districts and charters to be able to forge their own partnerships with the businesses and industries that matter to their communities.
She told the House committee CTE should improve a variety of student metrics, such as graduation and job placement rates, “as well as other things we don’t track.” She believes expanded CTE options will also improve student happiness.
After the presentation, she headed to her first meeting as superintendent with the State Board of Education’s Planning, Policy and Governmental Affairs Committee. State Board President Kurt Liebich appointed Critchfield to the committee; she also serves on the board’s Instruction, Research and Student Affairs Committee, and Accountability and Oversight Committee.
Next on her agenda was a meeting with two of Gov. Brad Little’s top staffers: Chief of Staff Zach Hauge, and Deputy Chief of Staff Bobbi-Jo Mueleman. She also held her weekly meeting with Senate Education Committee chair Sen. Dave Lent and House Education Committee chair Rep. Julie Yamamoto.
The Senate Education Committee welcomed Critchfield back to the Statehouse Wednesday afternoon for another CTE presentation. “That is my career-technical education cheerleading for the day,” Critchfield told the committee after her nearly 30-minute presentation.
Wednesday evening, the superintendent will attend the Idaho STEM Action Center’s STEM Matters Month kickoff event, and then head to the Idaho Association of Counties legislative reception.
