Idaho Education: Unpacked

Q&A with Alexis- Finding the right school fit and more

Katie interviews Alexis to discuss the myth of a “perfect” school fit, and what to prioritize when making school choices. They also talk about what to do if issues arise in the classroom, and how to thank teachers and staff at the end of a school year.

Legislative Session Recap

The legislative session finished up in April. We unpack three education issues from the session (budget cuts and colleges, virtual schools and IDLA, and high-performing districts flexibility) and discuss how they might affect Idaho families.

May primary elections and the weight they hold in Idaho

In just one month, Idahoans will go to the polls and vote in the primary elections for all 105 legislative seats, as well as the governor, superintendent of public instruction, and many other positions. For both the Democratic and Republican parties, these elections often determine who will win in the general election. Alexis and I discuss how these elections work and their implications for education.

Understanding and engaging with your local school board

This week, we hear about Alexis’ experience as a school board trustee. She also gives practical suggestions for how we can all engage with our local school boards, from “headline engagers” to “issue-by-issue engagers” to “all-out engagers.”

The funding formula– why it matters for Idaho schools and students

This week, Alexis and Katie discuss that although the funding formula can be complicated, it matters to families in Idaho. This formula, which hasn’t been overhauled since 1994, determines how much money is given to school districts and charter schools to run their classrooms. More than $ 2.5 billion is being allocated.