IDAHO
How yellow is this yellow school bus?
It’s “national school bus glossy yellow, federal standard 595a, color number 13432.” But this federal language doesn’t appear in Idaho code. Not yet, anyway.
In Pocatello, a Facebook about-face
Laraine Cook was fired in October over a photo posted on her Facebook page. On Tuesday night, the School Board voted unanimously to offer Cook her job back.
JFAC takes step on employee raises
On Friday, budget-writers didn’t discuss a related topic: boosting teacher pay. Gov. Butch Otter recommends a pay freeze for state employees and teachers.
Second newcomer joins House Ed
Newly appointed Rep. Patrick McDonald joins the education committee, taking the place of Rep. Cindy Agidius.
Senate panel sidelines P.E. rule, again
Also on hold: language that would ramp up college requirements for sixth- through 12th-grade English teachers.
New House member jumps right in
Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, is a newcomer to the Statehouse but she’s not new to politics. The Harvard Law School grad and mother of four has been preparing for this job all her life.
Lawmaker pushes for new teaching awards
Rep. Linden Bateman, a retired teacher, is hoping to help lawmakers recognize up to 105 teachers a year for improving student learning.
Feds list problems with Idaho NCLB waiver
The State Department of Education is on the clock: The U.S. Education Department cited several compliance problems with Idaho’s No Child Left Behind act waiver. Idaho has until February to correct the problems.
Lawmakers dig into standards, reforms
Questions about Common Core, testing and pre-K punctuated a 90-minute Senate and House education committee meeting Wednesday.
Luna changes course on Common Core test
Originally, all Idaho students in grades 3-11 were required to take the new test this spring. Now, schools will be allowed to opt out of testing ninth and 10th graders.