Idaho Bills
38 bills · 2021 Regular Session
Amends existing law to provide an exception to a limitation on public charter school funding.
68 – 1
Amends existing law to provide for an advisory council on continuous improvement plans and student achievement measures and to revise provisions regarding staff evaluations, college and career advising, and literacy intervention.
Amends existing law to provide that school employees at category 3 contract status shall not advance beyond such status until they complete certain requirements.
33 – 0
Amends existing law to provide that tuition and fees at state institutions of higher education shall be the same or lower in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years as they were on December 31, 2020, and to provide for rules allowing students to opt in or opt out of paying certain fees.
Amends existing law to provide that a board of school district trustees may enter into a negotiation agreement with a local education organization.
45 – 25
Adds to existing law to provide for reimbursement to parents for eligible education expenses under certain circumstances.
Amends existing law to provide for permission to participate in instruction regarding human sexuality.
56 – 12
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding public charter school facilities funds.
34 – 0
Amends existing law to provide for the state share of the Transportation Support Program following an emergency.
34 – 0
Amends existing law to provide that school boards shall have the authority to adopt policies and procedures regarding student clubs and organizations.
52 – 18
Adds to existing law to prohibit instruction and advocacy in public schools on racist or sexist concepts.
Thislegislationwouldprohibitpublicschoolsfromteachingracistorsexistconcepts. Ifapublicschoolviolates this provision this legislation allows the State Board of Education to withhold funds or it provides taxpayers standing in a private cause of action.
Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding dignity and nondiscrimination in public education and to prohibit the expenditure of moneys for certain purposes.
27 – 8
Adds to existing law provide for the adoption of the content standards prepared by the 2020-2021 content standards review committees.
Amends existing law to provide that local salary schedules for public school staff salaries shall include certain minimum amounts and to clarify eligibility requirements for professional endorsements and advanced professional endorsements.
35 – 0
Adds to existing law to provide for a workforce readiness and career technical education diploma.
35 – 0
Amends existing law to provide that school board hearings on student discipline must be held in executive session.
Amends Idaho Code 33-205 to allow for student hearings in executive session, to preserve the privacy of the student.
68 – 0
Adds to existing law to provide advanced opportunities funding for nonpublic school students, subject to appropriation.
66 – 1
Adds to existing law to provide for a kindergarten jump-start program and training for parents.
The purpose of the bill is to encourage more parents to bring their young student to the Spring kindergarten screener. Then, allow school districts to use existing funds to establish up to a four week jump-start program for students that are not ready for kindergarten.
39 – 25
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding expulsion or denial of enrollment for students who possess dangerous or deadly weapons or firearms on school property.
69 – 0
States findings of the Legislature and requests that the Idaho High School Activities Association amend a rule so that it does not apply to parents who coach sports.
Amends existing law to establish the Strong Students Grant Program and the Strong Students Scholarship Program, which provide funds to eligible students for certain education expenses.
Strong Students Grant program and Strong Students Scholarship program. Part One is the Strong Students Grant Program which formalizes the Strong Families, Strong Students grant program to help parents meet their child’s unique educational needs. Under Part One, students at public schools, charter schools, private schools, or are home schooled will receive $500 grants per student per year to pay for allowable education expenses. Grants are available first to families whose Adjusted Gross Income is below $50,000 per year, then to families earning up to $75,000 and then to everyone else for as long as the funding lasts for that year. Part Two of this bill creates a program to provide scholarships for a limited number of students who have previously attended public schools but who subsequently need different options. Qualification standards are the same as for the grant program described above. Scholarships would be equal to 90 percent of the average amount of state funds appropriated per student during the prior fiscal year. Parents will be able to access and spend the grant and scholarship funds on behalf of their child for approved educational expenses through a digital platform. The purpose of the emergency clause is to allow the State Board of Education time to have the applications available by July 1, 2021. I.C. 32-1012 explicitly recognizes the constitutional right of parents to direct and supervise their children’s education. I.C. 33-107 and Article IX, Section 2 of the Idaho Constitution give the State Board supervision over public schools only. I.C. 33-202, which provides that nonpublic students need to be instructed “in subjects commonly and usually taught in the public schools of the state.” This bill is consistent with that existing code. Section 1 of this bill reads: Nothing in sections 33-1030 through 33-1034, Idaho Code, shall be construed to give the state authority to regulate the education of nonpublic students.
16 – 18
Adds to existing law to provide for reimbursement to parents for eligible education expenses under certain circumstances.
This bill supports full-time, in-person instruction for K-12 students on school premises. If a school is unable to provide full-time, in-person instruction a parent has the option to withdraw their student to seek an alternative education solution. The parent or guardian will be provided with a pro-rated reimbursement payment for use on eligible education expenses to conduct the education of their student.
55 – 15
Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding professional endorsements.
Section 33-1001, Idaho Code, includes a definition of “Salary Schedule.” This definition includes a reference to a minimum amount on a local district salary schedule. This language has caused confusion with the school districts and charter schools due to the conflict with the language in Section 33-1004E, Idaho Code, regarding minimum salaries that must be paid for full time equivalent positions. The legislation would update the definition of salary schedule to align with the minimum compensation language. Additionally, Section 33-1201A, Idaho Code, was amended to provide for a streamlined process for instructional staff coming from out-of-state to receive one of the professional endorsements and be placed on the Career Ladder. This process used existing language regarding individuals coming from a compact member state. This legislation would provide additional clarification that it would applies to individualsbe coming from a compact member state other than Idaho and adds language allowing individuals with experience working in an Idaho accredited private school to receive the professional or the advanced professional endorsement in the same manner as individuals coming from out of state.
34 – 0
Adds to existing law to provide for flexible school schedules for academically advanced elementary school students.
Thisbillcreatesanoptionalprogramthatencouragesparentstobeinvolvedintheirelementarychild'seducation and partner with public school teachers. If an elementary school student can get advanced in their academic studies, the parents can negotiate a flexible attendance schedule to supplement the public school curriculum and for other family activities. The bill explains how schools will not lose funding, determine if the child is advanced, and makes the program optional to parents and schools.
Adds to existing law to establish provisions regarding school community councils.
This bill creates Community Councils at each public school in Idaho. Members consist of elected parents, teachers and the principal. Community Councils will provide parents of students an opportunity to participate in decision making at the school level. Councils will study school academic performance and funding, assist in creating continuous improvement plans, and will serve in an advisory capacity to school and district administrators and the school board.