Public education in Idaho

in  Idaho

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K-12 education in Idaho

Education facts
State superintendent:
Sherri Ybarra
Number of students:
284,834
Number of teachers:
14,563
Teacher/pupil ratio:
1:20
Number of school districts:

Number of schools:
719
Graduation rate:
N/A
Per-pupil spending:
$6,791
See also
Idaho State Department of Education • List of school districts in Idaho • Idaho • School boards portal

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Public education in the United States
Public education in Idaho
Glossary of education terms
Note: The statistics on this page are mainly from government sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. Figures given were the most recent as of June 2015.

## Contents

* 1 Common Core
* 2 General information
* 2.1 Schools by type
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 Enrollments by region type
* 4 Academic performance
* 4.1 NAEP scores
* 4.2 Graduation, ACT and SAT scores
* 4.3 Dropout rate
* 5 Educational choice options
* 5.1 Developments
* 5.1.1 Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (2020)
* 6 Education funding and expenditures
* 6.1 Revenue breakdowns
* 6.2 Expenditure breakdowns
* 6.3 Personnel salaries
* 7 Organizations
* 7.1 State agencies
* 7.2 Unions
* 7.2.1 Collective bargaining and tenure
* 8 Taxpayer-funded lobbying
* 9 Transparency
* 10 Studies and reports
* 10.1 Quality Counts 2014
* 10.2 State Budget Solutions education study
* 11 School districts
* 11.1 District types
* 11.2 School board composition
* 11.2.1 Term limits
* 11.3 Elections
* 11.3.1 Path to the ballot
* 11.3.2 Campaign finance
* 12 Recent legislation
* 13 Education ballot measures
* 14 In the news
* 15 See also
* 16 External links
* 17 Footnotes

The Idaho public school system (prekindergarten through grade 12) operates within districts governed by locally elected school boards and superintendents. In 2013 Idaho had 284,834 students enrolled in a total of 719 schools in 149 school districts. There were 14,563 teachers in the public schools, or roughly one teacher for every 20 students, compared to the national average of 1:16. There was roughly one administrator for every 448 students, compared to the national average of one administrator for every 295 students. On average Idaho spent $6,791 per pupil in 2013, which ranked it 50th highest in the nation.[1][2][3]

HIGHLIGHTS

* In the 2012-2013 school year, Idaho had the second lowest spending per pupil figure in the country, $6,659, and the second fewest administrators relative to students, 1:448.

### Common Core[edit]

Common Core, or the Common Core State Standards Initiative, is an American education initiative that outlines quantifiable benchmarks in English and mathematics at each grade level from kindergarten through high school. Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and Governor Butch Otter adopted these standards on January 24, 2011. The standards were fully implemented during the 2013-2014 school year.[4]

In March 2015 the Idaho State Senate Education Committee voted to hold Resolution 105 in committee. The resolution sought to change Common Core standards to more state-specific standards. As of July 2015, Resolution 105 had not progressed further in the Idaho legislature.[5]

## General information[edit]

See also: General comparison table for education statistics in the 50 states and Education spending per pupil in all 50 states

The following chart shows how Idaho compared to three neighboring states with respect to the number of students, schools, teachers per pupil and administrators per pupil for the 2012-2013 school year. The chart also displays that information at the national level. At $6,791, Idaho had the lowest spending per pupil of any of its neighboring states.

Further comparisons between these states with respect to performance and financial information are given in other sections of this page.

Regional comparison, 2012-2013

State | Schools | Districts | Students | Teachers | Teacher-to-pupil ratio | Admin.-to-pupil ratio | Per pupil spending*
Idaho | 719 | 149 | 284,834 | 14,563 | 1:19.6 | 1:447.8 | $6,659
Montana | 824 | 496 | 142,908 | 10,200 | 1:14 | 1:270.7 | $10,464
Oregon | 1,251 | 220 | 587,564 | 26,410 | 1:22.2 | 1:389.2 | $9,490
Washington | 2,370 | 322 | 1,051,694 | 53,699 | 1:19.6 | 1:368.7 | $9,637
United States | 98,454 | 18,093 | 49,771,118 | 3,109,101 | 1:16 | 1:294.1 | $10,700
*Per pupil spending data reflects information reported for fiscal year 2013.
Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 2 - Number of operating public schools and districts, state enrollment, teacher, and pupil teacher ratio, by state: School year 2012–13"
United States Census Bureau, "Public Education Finances: 2013 (Table 20)"

Note: In comparing dollar amounts across the states, it is important to note that the cost of living can from state to state and within a state. The amounts given on this page have not been adjusted to reflect these differences. For more information on "regional price disparities" and the Consumer Price Index, see the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis.

### Schools by type[edit]

Education policy on Ballotpedia

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Education policy in the U.S.

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Public education in the U.S.

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Higher education by state

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School choice in the U.S.

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Education statistics

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State information
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

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School board elections portal
Glossary of education terms
School choice on the ballot
Education on the ballot

See also: Number of schools by school type in the United States

Of the 98,454 schools in the United States, 89,031 were classified as regular schools. After regular schools, magnet schools and charter schools were the most prevalent non-traditional schools in the country, at 6,079 and 5,986, respectively.

The table below breaks down each of the different types of schools in Idaho and nearby states. Also listed are the numbers of schools in each state that are classified as "Title I" schools. These are public schools that have been specially targeted to correct achievement gaps in public schools.[6]

In Idaho, there were 629 regular schools as of 2013. Alternative schools were the second most prevalent type of school in the state, with 69 schools classified as such.

Number of schools by type, 2012-2013

State  | Total schools  | Regular  | Special education  | Vocational  | Alternative  | Charter  | Magnet  | Title I
Idaho | 719 | 629 | 11 | 10 | 69 | 47 | 19 | 570
Montana | 824 | 818 | 2 | 0 | 4 | † | † | 708
Oregon | 1,251 | 1,211 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 123 | † | 574
Washington | 2,370 | 1,932 | 98 | 18 | 322 | † | † | 1,579
United States | 98,454 | 89,031 | 2,034 | 1,403 | 5,986 | 6,079 | 3,151 | 68,140
† Not applicable. Some states/jurisdictions do not have charter school authorization and some states/jurisdictions do not designate magnet schools.
‡ Reporting standards were not met due to data that were missing for more than 20 percent of schools in the state or jurisdiction.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD), "Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey," SY 2012–13 Provisional Version 1a

## Demographics[edit]

See also: Demographic information for all students in all 50 states

The following table displays the ethnic distribution of students in Idaho as reported in the National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data for 2012-2013.[7]

During the 2012-2013 school year, just over half of all students in K-12 public schools nationwide were white. About a quarter of the students in the country were Hispanic, with black students making up about 16 percent of the student population.

In Idaho, the majority of students were white. White students totaled 221,283, which was about 77.7 percent of the student population in the state. There were 47,113 black students in Idaho, which accounted for about 16.5 percent of the student population.

Public education enrollment by race/ethnicity, 2012-2013

State  | Pop. category  | Am. Indian
/Alaska Nat.  | Asian  | Black  | Hawaiian
/Pac. Islander  | Hispanic  | White  | Two or more races
Idaho | Number | 3,683 | 3,730 | 2,878 | 938 | 47,113 | 221,283 | 5,209
Percentage | 1.29% | 1.31% | 1.01% | 0.33% | 16.54% | 77.69% | 1.83%
Montana | Number | 16,228 | 1,193 | 1,399 | 336 | 5,644 | 115,094 | 3,014
Percentage | 11.36% | 0.83% | 0.98% | 0.24% | 3.95% | 80.54% | 2.11%
Oregon | Number | 9,917 | 22,827 | 14,630 | 3,866 | 129,076 | 378,737 | 28,511
Percentage | 1.69% | 3.89% | 2.49% | 0.66% | 21.97% | 64.46% | 4.85%
Washington | Number | 15,210 | 75,407 | 48,381 | 9,685 | 214,077 | 622,485 | 66,449
Percentage | 1.45% | 7.17% | 4.6% | 0.92% | 20.36% | 59.19% | 6.32%
United States | Number | 533,098 | 2,363,484 | 7,798,560 | 179,935 | 12,064,310 | 25,366,857 | 1,390,514
Percentage** | 1.07% | 4.76% | 15.69% | 0.36% | 24.28% | 51.04% | 2.80%
**Note: This is the percentage of all students in the United States that are reported to be of this ethnicity.
Source: United States Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, "Common Core of Data (CCD), State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey, 2012-2013"

### Enrollments by region type[edit]

See also: Student distribution by region type in the United States

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 30 percent of all public school students in the country attended city schools during the 2012-2013 school year. About 40 percent attended suburban schools. Approximately 11.5 percent of all students attended schools in towns, while about 18.7 percent attended rural schools.[8]

A plurality of students in Idaho attended suburban schools during the 2012-2013 school year. However, student distribution among each region type was fairly equal. Approximately 51.2 percent of the state's students attended city or suburban schools, compared to the approximately 48.8 percent who attended rural or town schools.

Student distribution by region type, 2012-2013 (as percents)

State  | City schools  | Suburban schools  | Town schools  | Rural schools
Idaho | 23.9% | 27.3% | 24.5% | 24.3%
Montana | 25.2% | 2% | 37% | 35.8%
Oregon | 34.6% | 27.2% | 24.1% | 14.1%
Washington | 32.5% | 42.6% | 12.7% | 12.1%
U.S. averages | 30% | 39.8% | 11.5% | 18.7%
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD), "Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey, SY 2012–13 Provisional Version 1a"

## Academic performance[edit]

Education terms

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For more information on education policy terms, see this article.

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School board elections portal
Glossary of education terms
School choice on the ballot
Education on the ballot

### NAEP scores[edit]

See also: NAEP scores by state

The National Center for Education Statistics provides state-by-state data on student achievement levels in mathematics and reading in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The chart below presents the percentage of fourth and eighth grade students that scored at or above proficient in reading and math during school year 2012-2013. Compared to three neighboring states (Montana, Oregon and Washington), a smaller percentage of Idaho's students were considered at or above proficient in math and reading in fourth grade.[9]

Percent of students scoring at or above proficient, 2012-2013

| Math - Grade 4 | Math - Grade 8 | Reading - Grade 4 | Reading - Grade 8
Idaho | 40% | 36% | 33% | 38%
Montana | 45% | 40% | 35% | 40%
Oregon | 40% | 34% | 33% | 37%
Washington | 48% | 42% | 40% | 42%
United States | 41% | 34% | 34% | 34%
Source: United States Department of Education, ED Data Express, "State Tables"

### Graduation, ACT and SAT scores[edit]

See also: Graduation rates by groups in state and ACT and SAT scores in the United States

The following table shows the graduation rates and average composite ACT and SAT scores for Idaho and surrounding states during the 2012-2013 school year. All statements made in this section refer to that school year.[9][10][11]

In the United States, public schools reported graduation rates that averaged to about 81.4 percent. About 54 percent of all students in the country took the ACT, while 50 percent reported taking the SAT. The average national composite scores for those tests were 20.9 out of a possible 36 for the ACT, and 1498 out of a possible 2400 for the SAT.[12]

Idaho schools did not report a regulatory adjusted cohort graduation rate during the 2012-2013 school year.

In Idaho, more students took the SAT than the ACT in 2013, earning an average SAT score of 1364.

Comparison table for graduation rates and test scores, 2012-2013

State  | Graduation rate, 2013  | Average ACT composite, 2013  | Average SAT composite, 2013
Percent  | Quintile ranking**  | Score  | Participation rate  | Score  | Participation rate
Idaho | N/A | N/A | 22.1 | 49% | 1364 | 99%
Montana | 84.4% | Third | 21.3 | 72% | 1595 | 25%
Oregon | 68.7% | Fifth | 21.5 | 34% | 1539 | 49%
Washington | 76.4% | Fourth | 22.8 | 21% | 1537 | 60%
United States | 81.4% | 20.9 | 54% | 1498 | 50%
**Graduation rates for states in the first quintile ranked in the top 20 percent nationally. Similarly, graduation rates for states in the fifth quintile ranked in the bottom 20 percent nationally.
Sources: United States Department of Education, "ED Data Express"
ACT.org, "2013 ACT National and State Scores"
The Commonwealth Foundation, "SAT scores by state, 2013"

### Dropout rate[edit]

See also: Public high school dropout rates by state for a full comparison of dropout rates by group in all states

The high school event dropout rate indicates the proportion of students who were enrolled at some time during the school year and were expected to be enrolled in grades nine through 12 in the following school year but were not enrolled by October 1 of the following school year. Students who have graduated, transferred to another school, died, moved to another country, or who are out of school due to illness are not considered dropouts. The average public high school event dropout rate for the United States remained constant at 3.3 percent for both school year 2010–2011 and school year 2011–2012. The event dropout rate for Idaho was lower than the national average at 1.6 percent in the 2010-2011 school year, and 1.9 percent in the 2011-2012 school year.[13]

## Educational choice options[edit]

See also: School choice in Idaho

As of June 2015, school choice options in Idaho included charter schools, homeschooling, online learning, private schools and inter-district and intra-district public school open enrollment policies.

### Developments[edit]

#### Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (2020)[edit]

Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue

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Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue
Media coverage and commentary
U.S. Supreme Court 2019-2020 term

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Blaine Amendment (U.S. Constitution)
Blaine amendments in state constitutions

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School choice on the ballot
Education on the ballot

See also: Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue

On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, which concerned whether the government can exclude religious institutions from student-aid programs. The case related to Article X, Section 6 of the Montana Constitution, also known as Montana’s Blaine Amendment.[14]

In its 5-4 opinion, the court held that the application of Article X, Section 6 violated the free exercise clause of the U.S. Constitution. The majority held Article X, Section 6 barred religious schools and parents who wished to send their children to those schools from receiving public benefits because of the religious character of the school.[15]

The case addressed the tension between the free exercise and Establishment clauses of the U.S. Constitution--where one guarantees the right of individuals' free exercise of religion and the other guarantees that the state won't establish a religion--and the intersections of state constitutions with state law and with the U.S. Constitution.

Idaho is one of the states with a Blaine Amendment.

## Education funding and expenditures[edit]

See also: Idaho state budget and finances

Breakdown of expenditures by function in fiscal year 2013
Source: National Association of State Budget Officers

According to the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), states spent an average of 19.8 percent of their total budgets on elementary and secondary education during fiscal year 2013. In addition, the United States Census Bureau found that approximately 45.6 percent of the country's school system revenue came from state sources, while about 45.3 percent came from local sources. The remaining portion of school system revenue came from federal sources.[16][17]

Idaho spent approximately 24.2 percent of its budget on elementary and secondary education during fiscal year 2013. The state school systems' revenue came primarily from state funds. Idaho spent a greater percentage of its total budget on education than any of its neighboring states.

Comparison of financial figures for school systems, fiscal year 2013

State | Percentage of budget | Per pupil spending | Revenue sources
Percent federal funds | Percent state funds | Percent local funds
Idaho | 24.2% | $6,791 | 11.8% | 63.4% | 24.7%
Montana | 15.5% | $10,625 | 12.8% | 47.7% | 39.5%
Oregon | 14.3% | $9,543 | 7.8% | 50.5% | 41.7%
Washington | 23.4% | $9,672 | 8.6% | 58.9% | 32.5%
United States | 19.8% | $10,700 | 9.1% | 45.6% | 45.3%
Sources: NASBO, "State Expenditure Report" (Table 8).
U.S. Census Bureau, "Public Education Finances: 2013, Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division Reports" (Table 5 and Table 8).

### Revenue breakdowns[edit]

See also: Public school system revenues in the U.S. to compare all states.

According to the United States Census Bureau, public school system revenues totaled approximately $598 billion in fiscal year 2013.[17]

In Idaho, the primary source of school system revenue was state funding, at $1.3 billion. Idaho's total revenue was the second lowest when compared to its neighboring states.

Revenues by source, fiscal year 2013 (amounts in thousands)

State | Federal revenue | State revenue | Local revenue | Total revenue
Idaho | $238,656 | $1,278,155 | $498,783 | $2,015,594
Montana | $210,593 | $788,329 | $652,713 | $1,651,635
Oregon | $471,682 | $3,041,825 | $2,508,173 | $6,021,680
Washington | $1,042,200 | $7,160,395 | $3,947,651 | $12,150,246
United States | $54,367,305 | $272,916,892 | $270,645,402 | $597,929,599
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "Public Education Finances: 2013, Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division Reports" (Table 1)

### Expenditure breakdowns[edit]

See also: Public school system expenditures in the United States

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public school system expenditures totaled approximately $602 billion in fiscal year 2012.[18] Public education expenditures in Idaho totaled approximately $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2012. Idaho's total expenditures were the second lowest when compared to its neighboring states.

Expenditures by type, fiscal year 2012 (amounts in thousands)

State | General expenditures | Capital outlay | Other | Total expenditures
Idaho | $1,854,556 | $135,343 | $62,396 | $2,052,295
Montana | $1,504,531 | $120,771 | $29,324 | $1,654,625
Oregon | $5,389,273 | $448,212 | $341,375 | $6,178,860
Washington | $10,054,077 | $1,545,989 | $452,833 | $12,052,898
United States | $527,096,473 | $48,773,386 | $25,897,123 | $601,766,981
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2011–12 (Fiscal Year 2012)" (Table 5)

### Personnel salaries[edit]

See also: Public school teacher salaries in the United States

Note: Salaries given are averages for the state. Salaries may vary between a state's urban, suburban, and rural districts and should be adjusted for cost of living. For example, a MacIver Institute study of average teacher salaries in 60 metropolitan areas found that salaries in New York City were the third-highest in absolute figures but 59th-highest when adjusted for the cost of living.[19]

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average national salary for classroom teachers in public elementary and secondary schools declined by 1.3 percent from the 1999-2000 school year to the 2012-2013 school year. During the same period in Idaho, the average salary increased by 2.4 percent.[20]

Estimated average salaries for teachers (in constant dollars**)

| 1999-2000 | 2009-2010 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | Percent difference
Idaho | $48,578 | $49,404 | $49,359 | $49,734 | 2.4%
Montana | $43,896 | $48,845 | $49,354 | $49,999 | 13.9%
Oregon | $57,856 | $58,948 | $58,302 | $58,758 | 1.6%
Washington | $56,089 | $56,578 | $53,101 | $53,571 | -4.5%
United States | $57,133 | $58,925 | $56,340 | $56,383 | -1.3%
**"Constant dollars based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, adjusted to a school-year basis. The CPI does not account for differences in inflation rates from state to state."

## Organizations[edit]

### State agencies[edit]

The Idaho State Department of Education oversees and manages public schools for students from kindergarten to 12th grade in Idaho. The department has nine education divisions: Assessment and Accountability Division, Child Nutrition, Content, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, School Choice, Statewide System of Support, Student Engagement and Postsecondary Readiness, Special Education and Teacher Certification. As of June 2015, Sherri Ybarra was first sworn in as the Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2015.[21][22]

The mission statement of the Idaho State Department of Education reads:[23]

“  | The Idaho State Department of Education is accountable for the success of all Idaho students. As leaders in education, we provide the expertise and technical assistance to promote educational excellence and highly effective instruction.[24] | ”

|
|

The Idaho State Board of Education oversees and manages higher education in Idaho.[21]

### Unions[edit]

In 2012, the Fordham Institute and Education Reform Now assessed the power and influence of state teacher unions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Their rankings were based on 37 different variables in five broad areas: resources and membership, involvement in politics, scope of bargaining, state policies and perceived influence. Idaho ranked 36th overall for union power and influence, or "weak", which was in the fourth tier of five.[25]

The main union related to the Idaho school system is the Idaho Education Association (IEA), an affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA). IEA is the largest education association in the state.

List of local Idaho school unions:[26]

* Idaho Education Association
* Pocatello Education Association
* Boise Education Association
* Meridian Education Association
* Blackfoot Education Association
* Bonneville Education Association

#### Collective bargaining and tenure[edit]

The Idaho State Legislature passed Senate Bill 1108, which limited teachers' collective bargaining rights to salary and benefits.[27] It removed issues such as class sizes, teacher workload and promotions from collective bargaining, and it permitted collective bargaining only if the union could prove it represented more than 50 percent of employees.[27][28] It eliminated tenure for new teachers, with new educators instead being offered one- or two-year contracts following a three-year probationary period.[29]

The entire overhaul plan eliminated 770 teaching positions but used $250 million to raise pay for teachers. Governor Butch Otter supported the measures.[30]

The Idaho Education Association warned the plan would drastically cut the ability of unions to bargain.[30][31] Hundreds of teachers protested the bills on February 21, 2011.[28]

## Taxpayer-funded lobbying[edit]

See also: Idaho government sector lobbying

The main education government sector lobbying organization is the Idaho School Boards Association.

## Transparency[edit]

In March 2010, the Idaho State Senate and Idaho House of Representatives approved a bill that required school districts with more than 300 students to publish their school spending data.[32] The Idaho State Department of Education does list information regarding the state's academic performance at the state, district and school levels.

## Studies and reports[edit]

### Quality Counts 2014[edit]

See also: Education Week survey

Education Week, a publication that reports on many education issues throughout the country, began using an evaluation system in 1997 to grade each state on various elements of education performance. This system, called Quality Counts, uses official data on performance from each state to generate report cards for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report card in 2014 uses six different categories:

1. Chance for success
2. K-12 achievement
3. Standards, assessments and accountability
4. The teaching profession
5. School finance
6. Transitions and alignment

Each of these six categories had a number of other elements that received individual scores. Those scores were then averaged and used to determine the final score in each category. Every state received two types of scores for each of the six major categories: A numerical score out of 100 and a letter grade based on that score. Education Week used the score for the first category, "chance for success," as the value for ranking each state and the District of Columbia. The average grade received in the entire country was 77.3, or a C+ average. The country's highest average score was in the category of "standards, assessments and accountability" at 85.3, or a B average. The lowest average score was in "K-12 achievement", at 70.2, or a C- average.

Idaho received a score of 74.2, or a C average in the "chance for success" category. This was below the national average. The state's highest score was in "standards, assessments and accountability" at 86.6, or a B+ average. The lowest score was in "school finance" at 60.0, or a D average. The "teaching profession" category nearly matched the state's lowest score, at 60.5. The chart below displays the scores of Idaho and its surrounding states.[33]

Note: Click on a column heading to sort the data.

Public education report cards, 2014

State | Chance for success | K-12 achievement | Standards, assessments and accountability | The teaching profession | School finance | Transitions and alignment
Idaho | 74.2 (C) | 69.8 (C-) | 86.6 (B+) | 60.5 (D-) | 60.0 (D-) | 71.4 (C-)
Montana | 76.3 (C) | 69.7 (C-) | 76.3 (C) | 69.4 (D+) | 73.0 (C) | 60.7 (D-)
Oregon | 74.6 (C) | 64.8 (D) | 80.1 (B-) | 63.5 (D) | 71.0 (C-) | 85.7 (B)
Washington | 79.5 (B-) | 74.9 (C) | 79.1 (C+) | 71.4 (C-) | 71.6 (C-) | 71.4 (C-)
United States | 77.3 (C+) | 70.2 (C-) | 85.3 (B) | 72.5 (C) | 75.5 (C) | 81.1 (B-)
Source: Education Week, "Quality Counts 2014"

A full discussion of how these numbers were generated can be found here.

### State Budget Solutions education study[edit]

See also: State spending on education v. academic performance (2012)

State Budget Solutions examined national trends in education from 2009 to 2011, including state-by-state analysis of education spending, graduation rates and average ACT scores. The study showed that the states that spent the most did not have the highest average ACT test scores, nor did they have the highest average graduation rates. A summary of the study is available here. The full report can be accessed here.

## School districts[edit]

See also: School board elections portal

### District types[edit]

School districts in Idaho are split into five categories: elementary school districts, school districts (city/county), joint school districts, specially chartered school districts and junior college districts. Elementary school districts are considered grades one through eight and school districts grades one through 12. All school districts may include kindergarten instruction. There no separate secondary school districts under present law.[34]

### School board composition[edit]

School board members are elected by residents of the school district. School boards in Idaho generally consist of five members that serve four-year terms. However, there is no state law denoting how many board members a district may have or how long the terms need be.[35]

#### Term limits[edit]

Idaho does not impose statewide term limits on school board members.[36]

### Elections[edit]

See also: Idaho school board elections, 2022

The table below contains links to school board elections covered by Ballotpedia in 2022 in this state. This list may not include all school districts with elections in 2022. Ballotpedia's coverage includes all school districts in the 100 largest cities by population and the 200 largest school districts by student enrollment across the country.

Our coverage scope for local elections continues to grow, and you can use Ballotpedia's sample ballot tool to see what school board elections we are covering in your area.

Editor's note: Some school districts choose to cancel the primary election, or both the primary and general election, if the number of candidates who filed does not meet a certain threshold. The table below does not reflect which primary or general elections were canceled. Please click through to each school district's page for more information.

2022 Idaho School Board Elections

District  | Primary | General Election | General Runoff Election | Regular term length | Seats up for election | Total board seats | 2017-2018 enrollment
Boise School District | N/A | 9/6/2022 | N/A | 6 | 5 | 7 | 26,242

#### Path to the ballot[edit]

Under law, any registered Idaho voter may seek election to the school board in the district in which the voter resides if requirements of the law are met. Qualifications for board members are decided by the district and not the state, however, most districts require candidates be:[37]

* A citizen of the United States.
* A registered elector of the school district.
* 18 years of age or older.
* A resident of the trustee zone which he/she shall represent for 30 days.

#### Campaign finance[edit]

Idaho does not impose campaign finance guidelines for school board candidates at the state level. Guidelines for reporting are generally set forth by the county or district itself.[38]

## Recent legislation[edit]

The following is a list of recent education bills that have been introduced in or passed by the Idaho state legislature. To learn more about each of these bills, click the bill title. This information is provided by BillTrack50 and LegiScan.

Note: Due to the nature of the sorting process used to generate this list, some results may not be relevant to the topic. If no bills are displayed below, no legislation pertaining to this topic has been introduced in the legislature recently.

## Education ballot measures[edit]

See also: Education on the ballot and List of Idaho ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following statewide ballot measures relating to education.

1. Idaho Increase Funding for Education Initiative, Initiative 1 (2006)
2. Idaho Public School Fund, HJR 1 (2000)
3. Idaho Public School Permanent Endowment Fund, HJR 6 (1998)
4. Idaho Public School Permanent Endowment Fund, HJR 8 (1998)
5. Idaho Fund for School Districts, SJR 106 (1998)
6. Idaho University of Idaho Tuition and Fees, SJR 101 (2010)
7. Idaho Teachers' Collective Bargaining Veto Referendums, Props. 1 and 2 (2) (2012)
8. Idaho Online Learning Veto Referendum, Proposition 3 (2012)
9. Idaho General Supervision of Educational Institutions, HJR 30 (1912)
10. Idaho Increase Annual Sale of School Land, HJR 10 (1920)
11. Idaho Compulsory School Attendance, SJR 124 (1972)
12. Idaho Income Tax Increases for Education Funding Initiative (2022)

## In the news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Idaho education policy. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Public education in Idaho - Google News

## See also[edit]

* Historical public education information in Idaho
* Idaho state budget and finances
* Idaho State Department of Education
* List of school districts in Idaho
* School choice in Idaho
* Charter schools in Idaho
* Idaho
* Education Policy in the U.S.

## External links[edit]

* Idaho Department of Education
* Idaho Board of Education
* Idaho Public Charter School Commission
* Idaho School Choice
* Idaho State Report Card
* Idaho Public School Budget
* Idaho School Data and Statistics
* Idaho State School Ratings by PSK12
* Idaho School Ratings by Great Schools

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ United States Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, "Common Core of Data (CCD); Table 2.—Number of operating public schools and districts, state enrollment, teacher and pupil/teacher ratio by state: School year 2012-13," accessed May 29, 2015
2. ↑ National Association of State Budget Officers, "State expenditure report, Fiscal years 2012-2014," accessed July 14, 2015
3. ↑ United States Department of Education, "ED Data Express," accessed May 29, 2015
4. ↑ Common Core: State Standards Initiative, "Core Standards in your State,” accessed July 12, 2014
5. ↑ Idaho Ednews, “Legislative Roundup, 3.2.2015: Common Core Survives a Challenge,” March 2, 2015
6. ↑ U.S. Department of Education, "Title I - Improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged," accessed May 29, 2015
7. ↑ United States Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, "Common Core of Data (CCD), State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey, 2011-2012," accessed May 7, 2014
8. ↑ U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data (CCD), "Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey, SY 2012–13 Provisional Version 1a," accessed March 2, 2016
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 United States Department of Education, ED Data Express, "State Tables," accessed May 13, 2014
10. ↑ ACT, "2012 ACT National and State Scores," accessed May 13, 2014
11. ↑ Commonwealth Foundation, "SAT Scores by State 2013," October 10, 2013
12. ↑ StudyPoints, "What's a good SAT score or ACT score?" accessed June 7, 2015
13. ↑ United States Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, "Common Core of Data (CCD), State Dropout and Graduation Rate Data File, School Year 2010-11, Provision Version 1a and School Year 2011-12, Preliminary Version 1a," accessed May 13, 2014
14. ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue: "Petition for a writ of certiorari," accessed July 3, 2019
15. ↑ Supreme Court of the United States, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, decided June 30, 2020
16. ↑ NASBO, "State Expenditure Report," accessed July 2, 2015
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 U.S. Census Bureau, "Public Education Finances: 2013, Economic Reimbursable Surveys Division Reports," accessed July 2, 2015
18. ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary Education: School Year 2011–12 (Fiscal Year 2012)," accessed July 2, 2015
19. ↑ Maciver Institute, "REPORT: How much are teachers really paid?" accessed October 29, 2014
20. ↑ United States Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, "Table 211.60. Estimated average annual salary of teachers in public elementary and secondary schools, by state: Selected years, 1969-70 through 2012-13," accessed May 13, 2014
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Idaho State Department of Education, "Communication," accessed May 20, 2014
22. ↑ Idaho State Department of Education, "Divisions," accessed May 20, 2014
23. ↑ Idaho State Department of Education, "Vision, Mission and Goals," accessed May 20, 2014
24. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
25. ↑ Thomas E Fordham Institute, "How Strong Are U.S. Teacher Unions? A State-By-State Comparison," October 29, 2012
26. ↑ Center for Union Facts, "Idaho teachers unions," accessed October 15, 2009
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 FoxNews.com, "Idaho Votes to Phase Out Teacher Tenure, Restrict Collective Bargaining," March 9, 2011
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Reuters, "Idaho teachers unions protest against proposed cuts," February 22, 2011
29. ↑ FoxNews.com, "Idaho Cripples Union Power," March 9, 2011
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 All Headline News, "Idaho teachers protest proposed overhaul," February 22, 2011
31. ↑ Idaho Education Association, "Despite public opposition, Luna bills go to full Senate," February 18, 2011
32. ↑ Idaho Reporter, "School financial transparency bill passes House," March 24, 2010
33. ↑ Education Week "Quality Counts 2014," accessed February 19, 2015
34. ↑ United States Census, "Idaho," accessed July 10, 2014
35. ↑ State of Idaho, "Idaho Statutes," accessed July 10, 2014
36. ↑ New York Times, "Idaho Legislature Repeals Term Limit Law, Undoing Voter-Approved Measure," February 2, 2002
37. ↑ SD 365, "Board Member Policies," accessed July 10, 2014
38. ↑ Idaho Secretary of State, "Idaho," accessed July 10, 2014

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