Idaho Department of Education

When it comes to technological advancements, the speed of change sometimes feels lightning fast. Most of us have clear memories of what life was like before Google and smartphones. Some may argue it was better/easier then, but we can agree that things that once seemed out of reach are now normal parts of life. Using phones alone as an example, technology has taken them from rotary to tiny computers and so much more.

The Idaho Department of Education has launched a new set of online resources that will assist with the educational and administrative challenges unique to military students and their families. The Supporting Military Families webpage is live now on the Idaho Department of Education website.

(BOISE) – As Idaho students start their summer breaks, the Idaho Department of Education would like to remind families that Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) meal sites are now operational. Families can locate the site nearest to them using the USDA’s meal service location finder.

(BOISE) - The Idaho Department of Education seeks feedback from stakeholders representing school districts, public charter schools, postsecondary institutions and other partners as it prepares recommendations on changes to Idaho's graduation requirements. These recommendations will then be presented to the State Board of Education for review. If approved, they would be the first changes made to Idaho's graduation requirements in over a decade.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Career Ready Students (ICRS) Council voted last week to reconsider 34 proposals from 26 districts and charters that had been recommended for funding but were not awarded due to a lack of program funds. The council is in a position to reconsider the proposals following an additional $20 million appropriation from the Idaho legislature during the 2024 session.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Career Ready Students (ICRS) Council voted last week to reconsider 34 proposals from 26 districts and charters that had been recommended for funding but were not awarded due to a lack of program funds. The council is in a position to reconsider the proposals following an additional $20 million appropriation from the Idaho legislature during the 2024 session.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education is inviting the public to comment on proposed changes to the state’s Special Education Manual.

(BOISE) – If you’re like me, you’ve heard about fentanyl for the last few years. And, if you’re like me, you are aware that it is an illicit drug that can have fatal consequences. At a high level, I was aware that fentanyl was a major priority for law enforcement, but beyond that, I didn’t take much more interest as I have focused on student achievement, teacher retention and school funding.

(BOISE) – Two exceptional high school seniors have been selected as Idaho’s 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars. They will be recognized alongside peers from around the country with one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. This year, 161 students nationwide were selected for the award.

(BOISE) – Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s sweeping rewrite of federal Title IX law. On Monday, Idaho joined several other states in litigating against the changes.

(BOISE) – Eighteen local education agencies in Idaho will receive full or part-time school-based nurses thanks to funding from the Healthy Schools Grant. The grant aids in supporting school-based nursing in underserved schools in Idaho.

(BOISE) – Schools and charters across Idaho will receive funding to install vape detectors in high school bathrooms and locker rooms through the Vape Detector Pilot grant.

(BOISE) – Five dedicated elementary school math and science teachers have been named as state finalists for the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teacher (PAEMST).

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education encourages members of the public to review and comment on drafts of changes made to the Idaho Content Standards alignment for Arts, Humanities, Computer Science/Educational Technology, Driver Education, Social Studies and World Language.

(BOISE) – Elementary school students in Idaho will once again have the chance to access a variety of fresh fruit and vegetable options with the USDA’s 2025 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). Schools are invited to apply for program funds now.

(BOISE) – Superintendent Debbie Critchfield will visit the final day of the 2024 Idaho Department of Education Educator Career Fair’s Meridian event, where she will be joined by area job-seekers and schools and districts looking to hire qualified educators. The event supports Critchfield’s goal of ensuring that Idaho classrooms are fully staffed to support student success.

(BOISE) – School leaders from across the state will once again have the opportunity to hear updates from Superintendent Debbie Critchfield and Idaho Department of Education staff regarding changes made to statewide education policies during the Idaho Legislature’s 2024 session.

(BOISE) – Superintendent Debbie Critchfield today is applauding K-12 public school budget recommendations approved by the Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) Friday morning.

(BOISE) – Two outstanding students have been selected to represent Idaho at the prestigious National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp), to be held from June 29 to July 20.

(BOISE) – Educators in Idaho are invited to collaborate with thought leaders and other educational stakeholders at the Idaho Department of Education’s annual Prevention and Support Conference. The conference will be held April 10 – 12 at the Sun Valley Resort. Registration is now open.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) heard presentations on the annual K-12 public schools and Idaho Department of Education budgets today, including highlights from Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield.

(BOISE) – In an effort to ensure that Idaho’s schools and classrooms are fully staffed to support student success, the Idaho Department of Education will host Educator Career Fairs throughout the state in March and April.

(BOISE) – February marks CTE Month, a time when Career Technical Education student organizations in many school districts commemorate through various activities. These students are inspired as they search for their post-K-12 educational journey thanks to CTE.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Career Ready Students Council (ICRS) met Friday and awarded $7,437,410 in grants to fund Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in public and charter schools around Idaho.

(BOISE) – Schools, districts and childcare organizations in Idaho will receive funding to implement innovative technology solutions through funds provided to the Idaho Department of Education through the USDA’s FY 2021 Technology Improvement Grant (TIG).

(BOISE) – Idaho high school students with an interest in United States history and the Constitution are again invited to submit their essay or video entries to the Ninth Circuit Civics Contest.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education is again seeking nominations for the state’s most prestigious award for educators, CapEd Credit Union Idaho Teacher of the Year

(BOISE) – I don’t have to be on the road constantly to get feedback from Idahoans who care deeply about education. Running errands like grocery shopping or going to Costco can provide me opportunities to hear from both friends and total strangers. People like to share opinions or offer a word of encouragement, and because my weekends are spent at home in rural Idaho, my neighbors want to be sure the “big city” doesn’t change me!

The Idaho Department of Education is seeking sponsors for this year’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP provides free meals and snacks to children 18 years and younger by operating sites located in low-income areas during the summer months.

Tribal Education Leaders from across the state have joined partners at the State Board of Education and the Idaho Department of Education in the first of twenty meetings planned to foster cross-agency coordination to improve access, opportunity and success for American Indian students in Idaho’s public school system.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield has announced the Idaho Department of Education’s top priorities for 2024 in a newly-released video created to follow Governor Brad Little’s State of the State address on Monday.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield is applauding a plan laid out today by Governor Brad Little to increase state support for local school facilities.