This bill allows Idaho school districts and public charter schools that meet specific performance and financial standards to gain more control over how they spend state education funds. To qualify, districts must rank in the top 20% for test scores or exceed state averages by significant margins, maintain strong graduation rates, and demonstrate three years of clean financial audits. Participating schools gain flexibility to allocate money for salaries, programs, and other expenses as they see fit, while being exempt from many state reporting requirements. The law includes safeguards that allow the state to revoke this flexibility if schools fail to meet academic benchmarks for two consecutive years or have serious financial audit issues. A report on the program's impact will be submitted to the legislature in 2029.
This bill amends Idaho law to revise the Parental Choice Tax Credit, which provides financial assistance to parents for private school and related educational expenses. It establishes eligibility for Idaho residents with children aged 5 to 18, or children with disabilities up to age 21, to claim a refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 per eligible student for qualified expenses including tuition, tutoring, assessments, and transportation. The bill creates a priority application system that favors lower-income families and allows eligible parents to request an advance payment of the credit before filing their tax return. It also repeals the previous advance payment fund and sets specific application deadlines and documentation requirements for claiming the credit.
H 657 amends Idaho Code § 33-5206 to change how public charter schools admit students. It prohibits admissions based on a student’s or parent’s residence within a school district, ensuring enrollment decisions are not tied to location. The bill also establishes new certification requirements for charter school administrators (e.g., experience, education) and teachers (including charter-specific teaching certificates with alternative qualifications). These changes directly affect Idaho public charter schools, their administrators, teachers, and students seeking enrollment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
H 741 allows eligible Idaho public charter schools (non-virtual, meeting specific performance criteria) to spend state funding - such as discretionary, categorical, and salary funds - as they determine, without needing charter revisions. Participating schools are exempt from certain reporting requirements (including those under sections 33-119, 33-1002, and others) and automatically retain spending flexibility yearly, unless they fail audits, academic benchmarks, or lose charter status. Teachers transitioning from these schools to other public schools retain career ladder credit for prior service. The bill requires a 2029 report to the legislature on participation and student performance changes. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
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.
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.
