IDAHO

Analysis: Idaho grudgingly accepts a staggering windfall from the feds

Idaho K-12 and higher education will receive more than $500 million — eclipsing the combined total from the two previous coronavirus stimulus laws. The money will go a long way toward determining student success.

SAT scores for 2020 seniors follow Idaho’s downward trend

The exam measures “college and career readiness” and is important because Idaho pays for all students to take it in an effort to promote continuing education.

Legislative roundup, 3.18.21: Rural teacher certification bill held in committee

Also, one more member of the House Education Committee tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total up to three.

Senators kill ‘shall-to-may’ bargaining bill

The bill would have given school boards the option of negotiating with teachers unions. A bipartisan coalition of Senate Education Committee members killed the proposal.

House passes tax relief bill along party lines

After lengthy debate, the bill heads to the senate for consideration.

Legislative roundup, 3.17.21: Senators pass higher education budget

In other Statehouse news, senators keep the August school election date on the books, and a second House Education Committee member tests positive for coronavirus.

Supporters offer to drop private school scholarship proposal

But sponsors want to push forward with the other half of their bill: an extension of Gov. Brad Little’s popular Strong Families, Strong Students grant program.

Legislative roundup, 3.16.21: New early education grant bill emerges

Two weeks after the House narrowly rejected the $6 million federal grant, the controversial proposal could come up for another vote. And in other Tuesday Statehouse news, a big tax cut bill heads to the House floor.

Senate Education Committee kills parent payout proposal

“I have a hard time weighing who is at fault here,” Sen. Janie Ward Engelking, D-Boise said. “It’s certainly not our school districts’ fault. It’s certainly not our teachers’ fault. It’s just the situation we’re in. Hopefully we’ll have better insight next time and will do a better job.”