Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 25, 2026

H 762: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding public charter school admission procedures.

This Idaho bill (H 762) revises public charter school admission rules and staff certification requirements. It prohibits charter schools from using a student's home address for admissions and prevents school districts from mandating student attendance or staff assignments at charters. The bill creates new certification paths for charter school administrators (requiring degrees, experience, and background checks) and teachers (with flexible education or career-technical qualifications). These changes directly affect Idaho's public charter schools, their leadership, and teaching staff by standardizing qualifications and contractual relationships with educational service providers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits home address use in charter admissions (expanding access) and creates flexible teacher certification paths (supporting educator recruitment), aligning with education access and quality indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 5, 2026

H 590: TAXATION – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to repeal and replace the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit and the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit Advance Payment Fund.

H 590 replaces Idaho's existing Parental Choice Tax Credit program with a new tax credit system. It establishes a refundable state tax credit of up to $5,000 per eligible student (increasing to $7,500 for students with disabilities) for parents paying qualified education expenses at nonpublic schools, including tuition, textbooks, and transportation. The credit applies to Idaho residents aged 5-18 (or 5-21 for disabled students) who meet income limits (300% of federal poverty level), with priority given to low-income families and prior recipients. Parents must apply annually by January 15-March 15, and the state will issue credits or advance payments by August 30. The bill repeals the previous credit and its advance payment fund while creating new administrative requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for education expenses targeting lower-income families (300% FPL), aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income groups.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes refundable tax credits for nonpublic school expenses, expanding educational access and funding for eligible students through state tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

Track

in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1281: IDAHO PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT – Amends existing law to revise the total amount of tax credits available in the 2026 and 2027 tax years.

This bill increases Idaho's Parental Choice Tax Credit for 2026 and 2027, allowing eligible parents to claim up to $5,000 per child for education expenses. It directly affects Idaho parents of students aged 5-18 (or 5-21 for children with disabilities), covering costs like private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and transportation. Parents with income under 300% of the federal poverty level get priority, and families with children requiring disability services qualify for a higher $7,500 credit. To claim the credit, parents must apply annually, document expenses, and verify eligibility through the state tax commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credits for education expenses, prioritizing lower-income families, providing direct tax relief under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax credits for K-12 education expenses, expanding parental choice and access to private school tuition, tutoring, and materials for eligible families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Special Education

Track

signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 2, 2026

S 1336: EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding civics education.

Idaho's S 1336 requires all public high school students to demonstrate core virtues (like patriotism and justice) and master key principles of American self-government, including natural rights, the rule of law, and the separation of powers, before graduation. It mandates two credits each in American history and government for grades 9-12, with a full-year Western civilization course required for 8th graders by 2030. The bill specifies curricula must cover foundational documents (Declaration of Independence, Constitution), the American founding era, and the influence of Western traditions, while including instruction on how totalitarian ideologies like communism conflict with U.S. principles. These changes directly affect Idaho public school students and educators developing course materials. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific civics/history curriculum requirements for graduation, strengthening educational standards in American government and history per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 26, 2026

H 712: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho State Seal of Excellence in Civics Program.

H 712 creates the Idaho State Seal of Excellence in Civics program, a voluntary initiative for high school students to earn a diploma endorsement by meeting specific civic education requirements. To qualify, students must complete required social studies courses (with a 3.25 GPA), score 90% on a civics assessment, complete a civics project, and participate in activities like 50 hours of community service or 15 hours of civic engagement. Participating school districts must track eligible students, affix the seal to diplomas, and report annual data, with the state providing the seal and implementation resources at no cost. Schools where 75% or more of seniors earn the seal will be designated as "Idaho Schools of Civics Excellence" and featured in annual state reports.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates voluntary civics program requiring coursework, assessments, and community service to enhance student civic education and graduation standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 11, 2026

H 622: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding.

H 622 reduces the state funding for Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA) from $445 to $427 per eligible student enrollment. It specifies that only full-time students in grades 6-12 enrolled in non-virtual school districts (excluding those in cities over 50,000 population) and not taking driver's education or custom sections qualify for funding. The bill requires the state to distribute 80% of estimated funding by July 31 and the remaining balance by May 15, with adjustments based on verified enrollments. The per-enrollment amount may be adjusted annually to match approved school staff salary increases.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationReduces IDLA funding per student from $445 to $427, defunding a state education program while restricting eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

Track

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 26, 2026

H 778: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding student participation in nonacademic public school activities.

H 778 revises Idaho's dual enrollment rules to allow students from nonpublic schools (including private and home schools) and public charter schools to participate in public school nonacademic activities, such as sports and clubs. It requires these students to meet academic eligibility standards - like achieving minimum scores on state tests or approved assessments - to join such activities, with their primary school (where they take most courses) responsible for overseeing these standards. The bill also clarifies that dually enrolled students in public charter schools do not count toward enrollment limits and permits joint enrollment in alternative programs or postsecondary institutions, with credits counting toward graduation. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by allowing nonpublic school students to participate in public school activities under academic standards, broadening inclusion in school programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 27, 2026

H 784: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to require public schools to offer daily recess to students in kindergarten through grade 5 and to encourage public schools to offer unstructured activity breaks for students in grades 6 through 8.

H 784 requires Idaho public schools to provide daily outdoor recess of at least 20 minutes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with indoor alternatives (like gymnasiums) permitted when weather prevents outdoor time. It also encourages schools to offer unstructured activity breaks for students in grades six through eight. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, applying to all public school districts and charter schools in Idaho. This directly affects K-5 students through mandated recess time and K-6-8 students through the encouragement of unstructured breaks.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates daily outdoor recess for K-5 students (20+ mins), enhancing student well-being and activity programs per bill language, aligning with 'enhances student programs' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

failed · Idaho · House Mar 5, 2026

HJR 9: EDUCATION – Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to remove language allowing for the Legislature to require school attendance and to add language regarding the right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools.

HJR 9 proposes a constitutional amendment in Idaho to remove language allowing the state legislature to require children to attend public schools between ages six and eighteen. It would add a new provision stating that "the right of the people to educate their children without government regulation outside of public schools shall not be infringed." If approved by voters, this change would directly affect all Idaho parents and students by altering the constitutional basis for education requirements. The amendment focuses on redefining parental education rights rather than creating new laws or regulations.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill removes mandatory school attendance requirement (ages 6-18), directly aligning with 'oppose' indicator of removing educational requirements.95% confidence

Track

signed · Idaho · House Mar 18, 2026

H 663: LICENSE PLATES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding agriculture license plates.

H 663 amends Idaho law to allow agriculture license plates to feature unique designs highlighting Idaho farming, approved by the Food Producers of Idaho, Inc. and the Idaho ag in the classroom program, instead of following standard plate design rules. It adjusts fee distribution: $10 from the initial plate fee and $10 from annual renewals go to the state highway fund, while the remainder supports agricultural education programs. The bill affects farm vehicle owners (typically those with vehicles under 26,000 pounds gross weight) who use these specialty plates, with changes taking effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects $10 plate fee remainder to agricultural education programs, explicitly funding curriculum initiatives through Idaho ag in the classroom program.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs $10 plate fees to state highway fund, directly funding transportation infrastructure as part of fee distribution.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration