A Crucial Moment for Idaho's Education - The Repeal and Replace Bill

A Crucial Moment for Idaho's Education - The Repeal and Replace Bill

A New Chapter in Idaho's Educational Journey

Greetings to all who champion charter schools and school choice,

As Idaho approaches a critical juncture in its educational history, the role each of you plays as advocates for charter schools and school choice becomes ever more significant. The 2024 Idaho Legislative session is fast approaching, and with it, an opportunity to enact substantial change through the proposed repeal and replace of the Idaho Charter School Law.

Who We Are: The Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families

For those unfamiliar with our organization, the Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families is a non-profit entity committed to supporting and empowering parents in the advocacy for charter schools, virtual schools, and school choice. We believe in arming parents with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively participate in shaping the future of our children's education.

The Journey Thus Far

The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity and collaboration. Invited to work alongside key stakeholders, including the Governor's office, our team has played an integral role in shaping this bill. This collective effort bore fruit recently when the charter commissioners formally adopted the bill as agency supported legislation, marking a significant milestone towards our objective.

The Road Ahead

Yet, this is not the end of the journey but rather a call to action. The fate of this bill now lies in the hands of the Idaho Legislature, and the influence of parents like you is pivotal. Your voice and involvement in this process are not just beneficial; they are crucial.

Why Your Support Matters

Collaborative Efforts: This initiative, led by Gov. Brad Little and Interim Director Alex Adams, saw collaboration with various charter school stakeholders, including BLUUM, the National Coalition for Public School Options, the Charter School Network, Idaho’s Virtual Charter Schools, and our Coalition. Your support acknowledges and extends this collaborative spirit.

-Leadership in Innovation: The proposed legislation aims to reaffirm Idaho's position as a leader in innovative charter schools. Advocacy from your end is key to regaining this leadership role.

- From Regulation to Support: Signifying a shift from a regulation-centric approach to one that prioritizes support, the bill focuses on enabling charter schools, amplifying parent voices, and moving administrative burdens away from the classroom.

- Empowering Charter Schools: At its core, the bill seeks to empower educational institutions, ensuring that government roles are facilitative rather than obstructive in innovative learning practices.

**Join Us in This Endeavor**

The importance of your voice and action in these crucial times cannot be overstated. We invite you to visit our website to delve deeper into the bill's details and implications.

We also encourage you to become a parent volunteer, playing an instrumental role in the passage of this bill in the upcoming legislative session. Your participation could very well be the tipping point in this pivotal chapter of Idaho’s educational future. Send us an email hello@idchartercoalition.org or signup here.

Our Collective Impact

Your steadfast support and dedication to enhancing Idaho's educational landscape are invaluable. Let us join hands to effect a significant and positive change.

Together, we can shape the future of education in Idaho.

Tom LeClaire

President

Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families

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P.S. Stay Updated:

- Read about the bill in today's article on Idaho Ed News.

- Watch our advocates passionately testify in support of the bill at the Charter School Commission meeting. [View the testimony starting at the 13-minute mark](#).

See the Bill that will Repeal and Replace Idaho Charter School Law

View the bill on Idaho Ed News here.

Idaho Ed News: Charter Schools Could Move to 12 Year Renewal

Charter renewals could be extended to 12-year terms

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on December 15, 2023

The Idaho Public Charter School Commission endorsed draft legislation Thursday proposing substantive amendments to laws governing the schools it authorizes.

The commission evaluates new charter school petitions and oversee the financial, academic and operational effectiveness of schools it approved. Authorizers protect the interest of students and taxpayers by holding schools accountable to performance outcomes. The public charter commission authorizes 60 out of Idaho’s 74 schools. Traditional school districts authorize 14 charters.

The six-person commission voted unanimously to accept and endorse a 25-page draft bill for lawmaker consideration in the upcoming session. To see a full copy of the bill, use this link.

“Outstanding!” said commission chairman Alan Reed, after the vote passed.

Interim director Alex Adams, Gov. Brad Little’s budget chief, described the draft legislation as striking a balance between autonomy and accountability, “where appropriate.”

Read the full article here.

Watch our advocates testify in support of the bill here. At about the 13 minute mark.

Empower Idaho's students through enhanced educational freedom

Empower Idaho's students through enhanced educational freedom

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on December 6, 2023

This year educational freedom swept across the United States, with over 15 states establishing or expanding access to private educational choice programs such as  Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). With access to publicly funded scholarship accounts, more American families have been able to opt out of the traditional public education system and employ the funds for various private educational expenses, including special needs therapies, tutoring, and private school tuition. It’s time Idaho joined the movement.

Choice and educational freedom are not a foreign concept in Idaho. In 2022, the conservative Heritage Foundation recognized the state as a top-five state in its Education Freedom Report Card. Particularly, Idaho’s commitment to its robust public education choice program stands out as Idaho’s Open Enrollment law is widely considered one of the best in the country, allowing students and families to access public schools within or outside of their assigned district if there is available capacity.

Yet Idaho lags behind other states when it comes to private education options. Without any kind of private school choice programs, the state restricts families without the financial means for private education to attend government schools. In the forthcoming 2024 legislative session, Idaho’s policymakers should seize the opportunity to expand educational freedom by granting every family in the state access to an Education Savings Account so they can access more educational options.

Currently, Idahoan students perform well academically compared to many other states, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. However, there is plenty of room for improvement as only around a third of both fourth and eighth grades were proficient in reading and math in 2022. ESAs can help improve these numbers by placing educational funding in the hands of those who know the students best: their parents. The evidence is clear, too; when families are allowed to customize their child's education to align with their unique needs, education attainment and test scores improve, as nearly every study done on the impact of private education choice shows positive results. 

For instance, rural families often lack access to courses and extracurricular offerings compared to their peers who live in more populated areas. ESAs could help families afford broadband costs for innovative online courses and curricula that local public schools may not have. 

It may seem counterintuitive, but increasing access to a broader spectrum of educational offerings actually benefits students who stay in traditional public schools. 26 out of the 29 studies examining the impact of implementing a private school choice program on public school student test scores have demonstrated positive effects. It only makes sense that this would be the case as the competitive dynamics of school choice incentivize public schools to enhance their offerings to retain students and the associated funding.

By embracing private school choice, Idaho can improve the quality of public schools through more rigorous market competition and benefit thousands of students who deserve the advantages of a customizable K-12 education system. 2024 represents a crucial juncture for Idaho. If Idahoans can sway the policymakers who represent them by raising their voices in support of establishing an ESA program, it can bring positive change by recognizing the inherent dignity of every Idahoan student, benefiting them and the state for years to come.

HB 113 Signed by Governor Little!

Idaho has taken a proactive approach in protecting its students by passing HB 113, a new bill that encourages the Idaho Public Charter School Commission to consider vulnerable and at-risk students during the certification and renewal process. This is an important step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse education system that caters to the needs of all students.

One of the key advantages of HB 113 is that it maintains local control, allowing local school boards to authorize virtual charter schools. This expansion of public school options for parents is a positive step towards improving access to education for all students, particularly those who may have limited public school options in addition to their neighborhood brick-and-mortar schools.

In addition, HB 113 provides financial stability for charter schools by allowing education service providers to assume the financial risk of the charter school. This is a model that has been successfully implemented by Idaho charter schools for over 20 years and has proven to be a reliable and effective system for protecting students, taxpayers, and the charter school itself.

Overall, HB 113 represents a positive step forward for Idaho's education system. By acknowledging the needs of vulnerable and at-risk students, expanding public school options, and ensuring financial stability, the state is making important strides towards creating a more inclusive, equitable, and effective education system for all students.

Big thank you to Senator Lori Den Hartog for sponsoring this legislation, the Idaho House and Senate for passing it unanimously, and for Governor Brad Little’s support and signature.

To send a note of gratitude to the sponsors and the Governor, their contact info is linked to their names below. They’d LOVE to hear from you!

Governor Brad Little (or Education Policy Advisor, Matt Reiber)

Sen. Lori Den Hartog

Rep. Judy Boyle