IDAHO
Senate drills down into nitty gritty of science standards
A Senate Education Committee hearing focused on the finer details of the controversial standards — and especially the language the House Education Committee deleted a week ago. Senators are likely to vote next week.
Idaho postsecondary numbers improve, but remain far from goal
In 2016, 40.6 percent of Idaho adults held either a college degree or a professional certificate. That’s an improvement, but Idaho still ranks No. 45 in the nation.
House Education introduces new private school scholarship bill
The leaders of three major education groups say they are concerned with how the scholarship would be funded, and oppose sending state resources to private schools.
Otter all but writes off higher education CEO proposal
On Thursday, Gov. Butch Otter seemed to abandon one of his top legislative priorities for 2018. He also deflected questions on gun control in the aftermath of Wednesday’s mass shooting at a Florida high school.
Town torn over prospect of boundary change
Patrons in Teton are torn over a plan to relinquish land and property worth millions of dollars to a neighboring school district.
Mortimer calls on Legislature to continue investment in teacher raises
Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee prepares to set the K-12 public school budget Monday.
Senate Education to take up science standards Wednesday
The Senate committee will take testimony Wednesday, but won’t vote. Earlier this month, every speaker at House Education Committee hearings urged lawmakers to approve the academic standards in full.
A global view of Idaho’s pre-K debate
Shanghai, China is investing heavily in universal pre-K for 4-year-olds. That should make pre-K opponents in the U.S. rethink their position, says W. Steven Barnett, an economist who has spent decades studying the issue.
New charter bill and tax cut proposal surface
Check out today’s top stories from the Statehouse.
School savings accounts top $275 million
The latest numbers, released by the State Department of Education, reveal an overall savings increase of nearly $60 million since 2015, when statewide savings topped $215 million.