Idaho Department of Education

(COEUR D’ALENE) – Lakes Middle School was brimming with excitement this morning as eighth grade math teacher Marcus Ross was surprised with a Milken Educator Award at a schoolwide assembly in front of cheering students, colleagues, dignitaries and media. The prestigious national honor – created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken – recognizes exceptional educators for their dedication to excellence in education and is considered the “Oscar of Teaching.” Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley and Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield presented the Award, along with its unrestricted $25,000 cash prize that Ross can use however he chooses.

(BOISE) – Recent three-year cohort data from Idaho’s early literacy test, the Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI), shows Idaho students making steady progress and that they are arriving to school in the fall with greater proficiency rates and less learning loss during the summer months.

(BOISE) – There are many important events, activities and milestones that take place in classrooms and schools every year. In my opinion, there are few more important than the conversations teachers and parents have, formally, twice a year at parent-teacher conferences. November is one of the months when time is set aside during the school week to discuss needs, progress, achievement, challenges and opportunities to support learning and growth.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education has issued the first of its payments to school districts through the new School Modernization Facilities Fund. So far, more than $514 million have been distributed to improve school district facilities across the state.

(BOISE) – Students at 150 schools across Idaho will get the chance to experience a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetable options free of charge this school year through Idaho Department of Education-administered grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

(BOISE) – Kids in Idaho were served a record number of healthy meals during the Idaho Department of Education’s annual Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) this year.

(BOISE) – Local education agencies are encouraged to take advantage of approximately $1.5 million in available grant funds to facilitate the operation of out-of-school programs for the 2025 – 2026 school year with the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant program. Funding is available through Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2025.

(BOISE) – Districts and charters in Idaho now have access to additional ways to support core classroom curriculum with supplementary resources from PragerU Kids, available for use free of charge.

(BOISE) – Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield was joined by staff and students at Orchards Elementary School in Lewiston to recognize third grade teacher Heidi Cornell as Idaho’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

(BOISE) – Like any successful business, an effective leader and CEO drives the plan to meet desired outcomes and goals. The superintendents and principals in our schools are no different.

(BOISE) – Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield is spending several weeks on the road visiting Idaho schools this month. She kicked off the tour October 7 with visits to the West Jefferson and Sugar-Salem districts. She is visiting schools in the Fremont, Sugar-Salem, Madison and Rigby districts today.

(BOISE) – In an effort to highlight the important connection between schools and local agriculture, Governor Little has signed a proclamation declaring the month of October to be Farm to School Month in Idaho.

(BOISE) – Idaho students in grades 3 – 12 are invited to share their perspectives on what America means to them for a chance to join peers for field trip experiences at some of the nation’s most iconic historical and cultural landmarks with the America’s Field Trip essay and artwork contest.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education will conduct a series of regional outreach meetings this month in an effort to bring educational stakeholders up to speed on proposed changes to the state’s graduation requirements.

(BOISE) – Idaho students are invited to get into the holiday spirit and put their most creative artwork on display with the Idaho Department of Education’s 2024 Holiday Card Contest. The contest is open to all K – 12 students and will be judged in a K – 6 division and a 7 – 12 division.

(BOISE) – More than two dozen districts and charters will get a boost in their efforts to provide a safe and secure school environment with newly-available funding for School Resource Officers (SROs), made possible by the Idaho Legislature and the state’s Millenium Fund and administered by the Idaho Department of Education.

(BOISE) – High school juniors and seniors in Idaho will once again have the chance to join peers from across the country for an in-depth exploration of public service careers with the prestigious United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Two delegates will be selected to represent Idaho during a week of learning and networking in Washington D.C.

(BOISE) – Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield has announced the upcoming departure of Chief Deputy Superintendent Ryan Cantrell. Cantrell’s last day with the Idaho Department of Education will be October 25.

(BOISE) – Idaho has joined the ranks of states offering support specific to military-connected students with the Purple Star School program. The first school in the state to receive the designation is Mountain Home’s Stephensen Elementary.

(BOISE) – Schools in Idaho have the opportunity to take a leading role in warning educational communities about the dangers of fentanyl by sharing the latest information and statistics on the deadly substance at events created with students and parents in mind. The outreach program is designed to bring clear, effective messaging on the drug to entire school communities.

(BOISE) – Idaho students will get the opportunity to learn more about the U.S. Constitution and discuss what it means to them as Idaho classrooms observe Constitution Day on September 17.

(BOISE) – Constitution and Citizenship Day mark the month of September, and for kids in public schools, it’s an opportunity to emphasize the foundation of citizenship: the Constitution. I’m inviting all Idaho teachers to set aside 10 minutes at the beginning of class on September 17th to talk about the U.S. Constitution.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education is seeking input from educational communities statewide in advance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a vendor for the Idaho Standards Achievement Assessment (ISAT) and the Idaho Alternate Assessment (IDAA).

(BOISE) – Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield today submitted her annual budget proposals. The K-12 and Idaho Department of Education proposals are due each year to the governor’s budget office and Legislative Services Office by September 1.

(BOISE) – Many of you have heard the old adage, “showing up is half the battle.” It’s a simple phrase that packs a powerful message, and as Idaho’s educational communities embark on a fresh year of learning, this saying has the potential to help address a growing issue affecting student achievement in Idaho and beyond.

(BOISE) – Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield has announced a new hiring in support of North Idaho’s educational communities. Wendy Moore has joined the department as the Director of the North Idaho Regional Support Center.

(BOISE) – New data from the 2024 Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) shows Idaho students making near-uniform gains, with overall proficiency rates that exceed the previous year’s results in all three assessed areas.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Career Ready Students (ICRS) council met this week to reconsider 17 proposals that were recommended for funding by the council previously, but were not awarded due to a lack of program funds. These new grant approvals were made possible through an additional $20 million appropriation from the Idaho Legislature made during the 2024 session.

(BOISE) – Several years ago I attended a teacher professional development session in Twin Falls and brought along my son, who was about to enter second grade. As we live in a remote valley, I was tasked with buying items from his class supply list. As both a teacher and a parent, this was like Christmas for me. When we returned home I had to defend a couple of the choices to my wife—especially the huge box of crayons. At my son’s age I had envied my friends' large crayon boxes while working with my small box of crayons. My wife had a good laugh about that story.

(BOISE) – A change to how eligibility is determined for free and reduced school meals has more than doubled the number of students eligible to be directly certified in Idaho. Depending on their relation to the federal poverty level (FPL), Medicaid-enrolled students will now automatically qualify to receive benefits though USDA’s Direct Certification with Medicaid Demonstration Project.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education and the Idaho State Board of Education are rolling out a program and platform designed to provide selected first, second and third-year public school teachers with support and mentorship. The program aims to reduce teacher attrition rates and to increase student achievement in classrooms statewide.

(BOISE) – The 2024–2025 income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals for the upcoming school year are now available to Idaho families for review.

(BOISE) – The Idaho Department of Education is seeking a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Operation sponsors in urban areas due to the recent air quality issues created by nearby wildfires.

(BOISE) – Idaho teachers and education leaders work to ensure that all students have the educational services they need to achieve academic success. There are many factors that go into determining what that work looks like. In some cases, supporting a student’s needs requires additional help.

(BOISE) – Districts and charters in Idaho can now apply for funding to support a School Resource Officer (SRO). Local education agencies who currently lack resources to support an SRO position are encouraged to apply on or before Wednesday, August 14.

(BOISE) – Data from Idaho’s early literacy test, the Idaho Reading Indicator, shows moderate gains from Idaho students in kindergarten through third grade. The data shows increases for kindergarteners, first graders and third graders while Idaho second graders maintained their proficiency rate.

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.