Education (K-12 Education)

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 846: EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding student enrollment counts.

This bill updates Idaho's rules for counting student enrollment numbers, which directly affects school districts, public charter schools, and the state Board of Education. It establishes specific guidelines for calculating full-time enrollment, including limits on how many students can be counted based on their attendance patterns, such as restricting students with 11 or more consecutive unexcused absences from being counted on official enrollment dates. The law also sets clear rules for counting kindergarten students at half enrollment and summer or night school students at one-quarter enrollment, while requiring schools to conduct official enrollment counts on specific dates throughout the school year. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, and aim to standardize how student enrollment data is collected and reported across the state.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts student enrollment counts by excluding students with excessive unexcused absences, limiting funding eligibility and reducing educational access for affected students75% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

failed · Idaho · House Mar 9, 2026

H 833: 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.

This bill requires public schools in Idaho to provide daily outdoor recess for students in kindergarten through grade 5, with each session lasting at least 20 minutes when weather and scheduling allow. The legislation also encourages schools to offer unstructured activity breaks for middle school students in grades 6 through 8. If outdoor recess is not possible due to weather, schools must provide indoor alternatives such as in a gymnasium. The bill prohibits withholding recess as punishment unless the disciplinary issue occurred during the recess period itself.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates daily recess for K-5 and encourages breaks for middle school, enhancing student well-being and educational programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

passed · Idaho · House Mar 19, 2026

H 915: 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.

This bill requires Idaho public schools to provide daily outdoor recess for kindergarten through fifth-grade students, with each recess lasting at least 20 minutes when weather and scheduling allow. If outdoor conditions are not suitable, schools must offer indoor recess alternatives, and the law prohibits withholding recess from entire classes as punishment. The bill also encourages middle schools, serving grades six through eight, to provide unstructured activity breaks for their students. These requirements apply to all school districts, specially chartered districts, and public charter schools in the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates daily recess for K-5 students and encourages breaks for middle schoolers, enhancing student well-being and educational programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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 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

signed · Idaho · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 1285: OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSING – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for equivalency between high school graduation and graduation from a nonpublic school for licensing requirements.

Idaho bill S 1285 creates a new standard allowing graduates of nonpublic high schools to meet the high school diploma requirement for occupational licenses. The bill amends multiple licensing statutes (including podiatry and mortician licensing) to require that licensing authorities treat nonpublic school diplomas as equivalent to diplomas from accredited public schools or a GED. This change directly affects individuals who graduated from nonpublic schools seeking licenses in professions like podiatry, mortuary science, or other regulated fields. The key mechanism is a new section (67-9419) mandating that licensing boards accept nonpublic school diplomas as fulfilling the standard high school graduation requirement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes nonpublic school diplomas for licensing, expanding professional access for graduates and aligning with educational access under topic definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Tags Licensing

in committee · Idaho · House Mar 2, 2026

H 794: EDUCATION – Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding prohibitions on excused absences for certain activities in public schools.

This Idaho bill prohibits public schools from granting excused absences for student participation in political protests, political lobbying activities, or walkouts. It requires such absences to be counted as unexcused, affecting school attendance records and funding calculations. Schools must annually report these unexcused absences to the state superintendent, with reports beginning in 2027. The law applies to all Idaho public K-12 schools and charter schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts student absences for political activities, requiring unexcused status affecting attendance/funding, limiting educational access and student expression in schools.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Idaho · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SJR 103: LANDS – Proposes an amendment to the state constitution to establish provisions for the management of certain lands granted or acquired from the federal government.

SJR 103 proposes a constitutional amendment to manage Idaho's lands acquired from the federal government. It creates two trust systems: one for lands granted under specific historical conditions (allowing limited sales at fair market value with annual limits), and a permanent trust for all other federal lands that **cannot be sold** but may be leased. Revenue from the permanent trust fund must support public lands management, county compensation, improved public access, and K-12 education. The amendment requires voter approval and would prevent future legislative sales of these protected lands while directing funds toward public benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevenue from permanent trust fund mandated for K-12 education and public lands management, directly funding essential programs per bill language.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevenue from permanent trust fund must support K-12 education funding per bill summary, explicitly allocating resources to this topic area.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds public lands management via permanent trust revenue, preventing land sales and supporting conservation efforts as required by the amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Public Lands

Track

signed · Idaho · House Mar 30, 2026

H 761: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL – Amends and repeals existing law to provide for the consolidation of the Idaho STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council.

This bill consolidates Idaho's STEM education programs under the Workforce Development Council by repealing the separate Idaho STEM Action Center structure. It transfers responsibilities like computer science education initiatives, STEM funding oversight, and program coordination to the Council. The key change revises references from "STEM Action Center" to "Workforce Development Council" in all relevant laws, streamlining oversight of K-12 computer science programs and STEM education funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationConsolidates STEM education oversight under Workforce Council, maintaining program funding and coordination without defunding or restricting K-12 STEM initiatives.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill consolidates STEM education programs including computer science initiatives under workforce council, advancing tech education funding and coordination through administrative streamlining.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education