Education

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 5, 2026

H 588: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding virtual public education in Idaho.

This Idaho bill revises rules for virtual public education programs. It requires school districts to verify student residency, ensure curriculum meets state standards, and disclose detailed cost information to parents when contracting with educational providers. The bill prohibits direct payments of state funds to parents and sets certification requirements for virtual teachers. These changes apply to all Idaho school districts offering virtual programs and public charter schools classified as "virtual schools" under revised definitions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires curriculum standards compliance, residency verification, and cost transparency for virtual education - strengthening oversight and quality without restricting access or funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 16, 2026

S 1290: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish a public school social access pass program.

This bill establishes a "social access pass" program for homeschool students in grades 8-12 in Idaho, allowing them to attend public school social events like dances, cultural activities, and career fairs at one local public school within their attendance area. Homeschool students must apply voluntarily, provide proof of residency, and pay a $25 fee (to cover program costs), but they won’t be charged extra for individual events beyond what enrolled students pay. The pass does not create enrollment in the public school system, so it won’t affect school funding, attendance records, or parental educational choices. The program begins in the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for homeschool students by enabling participation in public school social events, aligning with support indicators of access expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · Idaho · House Feb 26, 2026

H 779: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding student enrollment counts.

This bill revises Idaho's rules for counting students in public schools and charter schools to determine funding and reporting. It sets specific limits: kindergarten students count as no more than half a full-time equivalent (FTE), summer/night school students max at one-fourth FTE, and students with 11+ unexcused absences before a count date cannot be included. Schools must count enrollment four times yearly (October, December, February, April) and require parental consent for enrollment. These changes directly affect school districts and charter schools in how they calculate student numbers for state funding.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces per-student funding by limiting FTE counts (e.g., kindergarten as 0.5 FTE) and excludes students with absences, directly restricting school funding allocation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 785: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding inappropriate online behavior by students and to prescribe a process for student discipline by the school district or public charter school.

This bill requires Idaho public schools to address student online harassment targeting staff or others by creating a process for reporting, investigating, and disciplining students. It defines "inappropriate online behavior" as harassment, threats, or bullying via internet, mobile devices, or social media that harms school employees, students, parents, or volunteers. Schools must investigate reports, notify parents, and impose discipline like warnings, behavior programs, or suspension. The law does not block victims from pursuing other legal remedies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to address online harassment via discipline process, protecting school environment and staff safety, aligning with education protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Safety

in committee · Idaho · Senate Feb 16, 2026

S 1289: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding scholarship limitations for certain student athletes at public institutions of higher education.

This Idaho bill (S 1289) sets limits on scholarships for non-U.S. citizen student athletes at public colleges. It requires public institutions to prioritize Idaho residents for scholarships and restricts non-citizen athletes to: no more than 10% of scholarships (excluding football), 5% for football, and no team exceeding 50% non-citizen scholarship recipients. Existing non-citizen athletes enrolled before the law's effective date (July 1, 2026) are exempt from these caps for up to four years. The law directly affects student athletes and public universities' financial aid policies, with implementation overseen by the Idaho State Board of Education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts non-citizen athlete scholarships at public colleges, limiting access for international students and prioritizing residents.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts non-U.S. citizen athletes' access to scholarships at public colleges, limiting their educational opportunities as a service.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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signed · Idaho · Senate Apr 1, 2026

S 1288: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the establishment of the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund.

This bill creates the Idaho High-Needs Student Fund to reimburse school districts and charter schools for special education costs exceeding $30,000 per student with a disability. It covers eligible expenses like therapy, specialized equipment, and nursing services directly tied to an individualized education program (IEP), excluding routine classroom costs. Reimbursement provides up to 100% of costs above $30,000 (capped at $80,000) and 80% above $80,000, with a maximum $100,000 per student annually. Funds are allocated 60% to non-rural and 40% to rural school districts, with annual reports required starting in 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded reimbursement program for special education costs, increasing state budget allocation for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Idaho High-Needs Student Fund to reimburse schools for special education costs exceeding $30k, directly increasing funding for high-need students' educational needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 20, 2026

H 599: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding the Public School Digital Content and Curriculum Fund.

This bill establishes the Public School Digital Content and Curriculum Fund in Idaho's state treasury, administered by the Idaho Department of Education. It provides state funding for public school districts (including specialized programs like the Idaho Bureau of Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind) to purchase digital content, curriculum, and academic text support systems that directly improve student achievement in areas like reading, math, career readiness, and college preparation. School districts must demonstrate how requested funds (capped at $50,000 per request) will help meet measurable student performance targets outlined in their continuous improvement plans, with funding distributed first-come, first-served based on needs-based criteria. The bill also specifies that funds are continuously appropriated and interest earned must be returned to the fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state fund for public school digital curriculum, increasing budget allocation for education spending without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state fund for digital curriculum/content to improve student achievement in reading/math/career readiness, directly funding educational resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds digital content and curriculum for schools, directly supporting educational technology use and aligning with Science and Technology subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

signed · Idaho · House Mar 20, 2026

H 731: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to provide for the State of Idaho to elect to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program.

Idaho's H 731 allows the state to join the federal tax credit scholarship program, enabling Idaho families to use state tax credits for private school scholarships. The bill requires the Idaho Department of Education to annually publish a list of qualified scholarship groups, certify the state's authority to participate, and accept submissions from those groups year-round. It ensures Idaho meets federal requirements to participate starting in tax year 2027, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Idaho's education department and scholarship organizations operating within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state tax credits for private school scholarships, directly using tax policy to fund education through tax credits.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access through tax-credit scholarships for private schools, directly aligning with topic's focus on educational access options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

signed · Idaho · House Apr 1, 2026

H 711: EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for alternative authorization for administrators and to authorize the use of funds for related mentoring.

Idaho's H 711 creates an alternative pathway for school administrators to obtain temporary certification without traditional credentials. It establishes two routes: "grow your own" for experienced Idaho teachers (5+ years) and "executive leadership" for professionals from business/government/military (5+ years in leadership roles). The bill requires school districts to provide 70+ hours of structured mentoring over two years, using existing funds, and mandates competency assessments to address knowledge gaps. Successful completion leads to a standard administrator certificate, directly affecting school districts hiring principals/superintendents and career-changers entering education leadership.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative certification pathways for school administrators with mentoring and competency assessments, addressing staffing gaps while maintaining quality standards in education leadership.85% confidence

in committee · Idaho · House Feb 9, 2026

H 601: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING – Amends and adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding the prohibition of taxpayer funding of government unions.

This Idaho bill (H 601) prohibits public employers from using taxpayer funds to support government unions. It bans payroll deductions for union dues, public funding of union activities (like events or communications), and paid time off for union work, except as explicitly allowed. The law directly affects public employees (including teachers and school staff) and their unions across state and local governments, such as school districts. Key provisions define "government unions" broadly to include organizations handling public employee contracts and restrict how public funds can be used for union-related activities. The bill amends existing laws to enforce these restrictions, including penalties for violations.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits taxpayer funding for government unions, directly restricting public spending on union activities under tax/funds subjects.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBans taxpayer funding for teacher unions (payroll deductions, union activities), directly restricting financial support for educators and school staff unions in education context.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill bans taxpayer funding for government unions, prohibiting payroll deductions for dues and public funding of union activities, directly restricting collective bargaining and union operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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