IDAHO
Idaho schools — and their heavy reliance on state funding
Legislative spending decisions have a make-or-break impact on Idaho’s schools. A new federal report puts the situation in perspective.
Legislative roundup: 2.2.15
State officials get quizzed about the new Common Core exam — and more Statehouse news.
Coeur d’Alene Charter: ‘Above and Beyond’
The North Idaho school shuns any sort of standardized teaching method. Instead, teachers are encouraged to pursue their own gifts and use them in the classroom. The school’s mission is to challenge students.
Anti-SBAC bill surfaces
Freshman Rep. Ron Nate is pushing Ybarra to remove Idaho from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium — but legal hurdles may block his way this year.
I-DEA models digital learning methods
Director Jason Bransford wants to bring the Idaho Distance Education Academy’s best practices to a broader audience. His students move from in-person instruction to online learning and back again.
Education chairs back statewide career ladder rollout
DeMordaunt and Mortimer said their committees may begin addressing teacher pay and tiered licensure within a couple of weeks.
Budget writers push Ybarra for more details
Ybarra repeats call to increase school funding by 6.4 percent, but JFAC members tried unsuccessfully to get her to reveal details of her plan to pay teachers.
A behind-the-scenes look at this year’s pre-K push
Republican Reps. Christy Perry and Pat McDonald say they will join Democratic Rep. Hy Kloc in backing a proposal for a limited and voluntary preschool pilot program.
Teacher pension plan earns high marks for solvency
However, Idaho should make its plan more flexible and more responsive to a changing profession, according to a new national report.
Madison leader named superintendent of the year
Geoff Thomas, an outspoken opponent of Common Core Standards, received the annual award from members of the Idaho Association of School Administrators.