IDAHO

Grades drop in pandemic-altered school year

Nampa and West Ada school districts posted fewer “As” and more “Fs” but trends improved as students became more familiar with remote learning.

Little touts ‘incredible progress’ rolling out vaccine and fighting COVID pandemic

The state may soon clear additional residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but no date has been announced yet.

Legislative roundup, 2.16.21: Senate passes advanced opportunities expansion, and a big tax bill surfaces

The Senate signed off on extending the state’s advanced opportunities program to private and parochial school students. Meanwhile, the first big tax relief bill of the year surfaced Tuesday.

Legislative roundup, 2.15.21: New labor negotiations bill introduced

If the bill passes, school districts would no longer have to participate in labor negotiations with the teachers’ union.

Pandemic poses challenges for students learning English

More than 1,700 children in the Boise School District are learning English as a second language.

Campus coronavirus roundup, 2.15.21: A flat week of case numbers

Case numbers fluctuated only slightly on Idaho’s largest campuses, including Brigham Young University-Idaho, which remains the state’s campus coronavirus hotspot.

Districts face staff shortages with return to full-time

As kids return to buildings, administrators are looking to rehire — but struggling to fill low-wage positions when staffers could make more at Costco or Amazon.

Legislative roundup, 2.12.21: Bill emerges to split higher education budgets

The bill marks the latest chapter in a political tug of war between House conservatives and the state’s higher education leaders — specifically, Boise State University President Marlene Tromp.

Analysis: Idaho lands ahead of the national curve in the school reopening debate

While almost every district or charter in Idaho offers full- or part-time classroom instruction, President Biden has set a modest national benchmark: One day of face-to-face learning weekly. “I think that’s a fantastic goal, outside of Idaho,” State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield said.