Why SB1176 and its (tba) Replacement Is Bad for Online Learners

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Here’s the bill: S 1176

A government power grab is underway — and it puts your child’s education at risk.

Last year, we worked with Idaho Governor Brad Little and his staff to pass bold, conservative reforms that gave more power to local school boards and parents — not bureaucrats in Boise. These changes cut red tape, decentralized control, and made Idaho the school choice leader of America.

Now, Senate Bill 1176 — written by Democrats and backed by Speaker Mike Moyle and Superintendent Debbie Critchfield — threatens to undo all of that progress.

What would SB1176 do?

  • Gut funding for virtual schools
  • Strip local school boards of oversight
  • Hand full control to a dysfunctional, state-run commission in Boise that has gone through five directors in two years and still doesn’t have a permanent leader

This bill is not about helping students.
It’s about taking power away from families.

And worse — a secret replacement bill is already being drafted that could be even more extreme.

Tens of thousands of students are at risk:

  • 10,000+ students in district-run online programs
  • 10,000+ students in virtual charter schools
  • Thousands more homeschooled using online curriculum

These kids — especially those in rural or at-risk communities — could lose access to the education option that’s finally working for them.

Who’s behind this attack?

  • Superintendent Debbie Critchfield forced IHLA to leave its school district. Now she’s coming back for the kill shot — and taking down thousands of rural kids and unsuspecting virtual schools with it.
  • Speaker Mike Moyle is backing multiple bills to systematically dismantle virtual education from every direction.
  • Senator Dave Lent and Representative Sonia Galaviz proposed S 1176 without informing schools and programs of the devastating impact.

Together, they’re trying to reverse the school choice reforms Governor Brad Little signed into law last year — and hand control back to unelected bureaucrats who’ve never believed in online learning.

If you’re a parent — now is the time to act.

Tell lawmakers this is personal.
Tell them your child’s education isn’t a political bargaining chip.

📣 TAKE ACTION NOW:

Click the button below to contact lawmakers. Tell them:

  • You are a parent in their district
  • You chose online or virtual education because it works
  • You demand a NO vote on SB1176 and any replacement bill

➡️ Contact Lawmakers Now

This isn’t just policy. This is personal.
Let’s protect what we’ve built — and stand up for the families who depend on it.

Virtual School Parent Contact List for SB 1176 and it's even worse replacement bill S1188.

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Senator Name Phone Email
Ali Rabe208-332-1409ARabe@senate.idaho.gov
Ben Adams208-332-1336BAdams@senate.idaho.gov
Ben Toews208-332-1322BToews@senate.idaho.gov
Brandon Shippy208-332-1325BShippy@senate.idaho.gov
Brian Lenney208-332-1329BLenney@senate.idaho.gov
C. Scott Grow208-332-1334sgrow@senate.idaho.gov
Camille Blaylock208-332-1320CBlaylock@senate.idaho.gov
Carl Bjerke208-332-1421CBjerke@senate.idaho.gov
Carrie Semmelroth208-332-1352CSemmelroth@senate.idaho.gov
Christy Zito208-332-1344CZito@senate.idaho.gov
Cindy Carlson208-332-1355CCarlson@senate.idaho.gov
Codi Galloway208-332-1407CGalloway@senate.idaho.gov
Dan Foreman208-332-1405DForeman@senate.idaho.gov
Dave Lent (Bill Sponsor)208-332-1313dlent@senate.idaho.gov
Doug Okuniewicz208-332-1338DougO@house.idaho.gov
Doug Ricks208-332-1301dricks@senate.idaho.gov
Glenneda Zuiderveld208-332-1347GZuiderveld@senate.idaho.gov
James D. Ruchti208-332-1406JRuchti@senate.idaho.gov
Janie Ward-Engelking208-332-1425jwardengelking@senate.idaho.gov
Jim Guthrie208-332-1348jguthrie@senate.idaho.gov
Jim Woodward208-332-1349JWoodward@senate.idaho.gov
Josh Keyser208-332-1354JKeyser@senate.idaho.gov
Josh Kohl208-332-1318JKohl@senate.idaho.gov
Julie VanOrden208-332-1346JVanOrden@senate.idaho.gov
Kelly Anthon208-332-1327kanthon@senate.idaho.gov
Kevin Cook208-332-1358kcook@senate.idaho.gov
Lori Den Hartog208-332-1340ldenhartog@senate.idaho.gov
Mark Harris208-332-1429mharris@senate.idaho.gov
Melissa Wintrow208-332-1339MWintrow@senate.idaho.gov
Mike Moyle208-332-1111mmoyle@house.idaho.gov
Phil Hart208-332-1345Phil.Hart@senate.idaho.gov
Ron Taylor208-332-1353RTaylor@senate.idaho.gov
Sonia Galaviz (Bill Sponsor)208-332-1083sgalaviz@house.idaho.gov
Tammy Nichols208-332-1423TNichols@senate.idaho.gov
Todd Lakey208-332-1328tlakey@senate.idaho.gov
Treg Bernt208-332-1331TBernt@senate.idaho.gov
Van Burtenshaw208-332-1342VBurtenshaw@senate.idaho.gov

Add to your email your local legislators. Don’t know who they are? Find them here with your address.

📣 TAKE ACTION NOW:

Click the links to contact Senate Education Committee lawmakers (plus the bill sponsors, and use the button to find your local lawmakers). Tell them:

  • You are a parent in their district

  • You chose online or virtual education because it works

  • You demand a NO vote on SB1176 and S1188

➡️ Contact Lawmakers Now

Also contact bill sponsors directly and tell them to stop hurting kids:
Sonia Galaviz, D-Boise, 16; Sgalaviz@house.idaho.gov; House Education: 208-332-1083

Senator Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls, 33; DLent@Senate.Idaho.gov; Senate Education: 208-332-1313

This isn’t just policy. This is personal.
Let’s protect what we’ve built — and stand up for the families who depend on it.

Idaho Earns an A!

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Idaho Earns an A for Online Learning in 2025 State Report Card! 🎉

Great news for Idaho families! The latest Parent Choice Report Card has awarded Idaho an A for its online learning policies, recognizing the state’s commitment to expanding virtual education options and ensuring families have access to high-quality online schooling.

Why Idaho Stands Out

✔️ Full Funding: Idaho’s virtual schools receive the same per-pupil funding as traditional public schools, ensuring students have access to quality education.
✔️ No Enrollment Caps: Families can freely enroll in virtual schools without arbitrary limits.
✔️ Strong School Choice Policies: With a statewide virtual school, multiple multi-district online programs, and flexible enrollment options, Idaho provides families with a range of choices to meet their children’s educational needs.
✔️ Remote Testing Flexibility: Idaho allows full-time virtual students to take state-mandated tests remotely, removing logistical barriers for families.

What This Means for Families

Parents looking for flexible, high-quality online education can confidently choose Idaho’s virtual schools. Whether for personalized learning, advanced coursework, or a better fit for their child’s needs, families have the freedom to choose what works best—without unnecessary restrictions.

With this A-grade rating, Idaho proves it’s a leader in education freedom and innovation. Let’s keep advocating for parental choice and student success!

📢 Join the conversation! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay updated on school choice news and advocacy efforts!

Download the National Report Card BELOW and see how Idaho and other states performed!

Idaho Legislative Updates: What Parents Need to Know

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Idaho Legislative Updates: What Parents Need to Know

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping families informed, the Coalition for Idaho Charter School Families has compiled a comprehensive update on the most impactful education bills from this legislative session. Below, you'll find the latest on bills affecting charter schools, school choice, and education policy in Idaho.

Bills Signed or Pending Governor’s Signature

  • HB 93 - Parental Choice Tax Credit: Provides up to $5,000 per child for private education expenses. Signed by Governor Brad Little on Feb 27, 2025. Read More

  • S1092 - Lifetime Teaching Certificate: Grants a lifetime teaching certificate to educators with 25+ years of experience, removing the requirement for continued professional development. Awaiting Governor’s Signature. Read More

  • S1069 - Literacy Coaches Funding: Appropriates $5 million to extend a program providing voluntary literacy coaches for K-3 teachers. Awaiting Governor’s Signature. Read More

  • S1147 - School Performance Incentives: Allocates $35 million to reward schools for meeting proficiency targets in math (grades 5-8) and for high schools achieving college and career readiness goals. Awaiting Governor’s Signature. Read More

  • H41 - Restrictions on Flags in Schools: Passed with amendments clarifying it does not apply to personal items worn by students or to parking lots and sports facilities. Awaiting Governor’s Signature. Read More

  • SB 1044 - Cursive Handwriting Requirement: Requires students to be proficient in reading and writing cursive by the end of 5th grade. Signed by Governor Brad Little; effective for 2025-2026 school year. Read More

Other Key Bills & Legislative Proposals: Status as of 3/14/25

  • HB 368 - Eliminates 10 seats at WWAMI and adds 20 non-WWAMI seats over 3 years, impacting Idaho’s medical education. Passed House Education Committee; awaiting House floor vote. Read More

  • S1145 - Would have allowed school districts or public charter schools to use literacy intervention funds for Early Literacy Readiness Programs for four- and five-year-olds. Failed in the Senate (14-21 vote). Read More

  • HB 331 - Public Charter School Facilities Program: Enhances the program to assist qualifying charter schools with facility needs. Passed House; awaiting second reading in Senate. Read More

  • HB 163 - Charter School Enrollment Preference for Military Families: Grants priority access to public charter schools for active-duty military families. Passed House Education Committee; awaiting full House vote. Read More

  • HB 257 - Public Charter School Operations Amendments: Modifies provisions related to virtual charter schools and transportation funding. Introduced; awaiting further action. Read More

  • HB 141 - Title IX Compliance Responsibility: Assigns responsibility for Title IX compliance to public college and university presidents. Passed House; to Senate for consideration. Read More

  • S 1046 - Human Growth and Development Instruction: Requires schools to provide instruction on human growth and development. Passed Senate; referred to House Education Committee. Read More

  • S 1068 - Parent-Supported Instruction: Establishes provisions and defines terms regarding parent-supported instruction for public school students. Introduced; referred to Senate Education Committee. Read More

  • H 162 - School-Sponsored Bible Reading: Requires public schools to include Bible reading as part of school-sponsored activities. Introduced; referred to House Education Committee. Read More

  • S 1032 - Distraction-Free Learning Policies: Requires Idaho public school districts to create policies limiting the use of electronic devices during class time. Passed Senate unanimously; awaiting House consideration. Read More

  • HJR 1 - Amendment to Compulsory Education Language: Proposes to amend the Idaho Constitution to allow parents to educate children outside public school without government regulation. Advanced to full House; if passed, will appear on November 2026 ballot. Read More

Why This Matters

These legislative actions will have a direct impact on Idaho’s charter schools, parents, and students. Whether it’s expanding school choice, providing more funding flexibility, or protecting parental rights, staying informed is the first step to making your voice heard.

📌 Stay Engaged: Contact your legislators, attend advocacy events, and share your story to support the continued success of charter schools in Idaho.

For real-time updates, follow us on social media or reach out to us at Hello@idchartercoalition.org

The Coalition for Idaho Charter School Families

Governor Signs H93 And Now There's a School Choice Program for Every Idaho Family!

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Idaho Expands Educational Opportunities for All Families

Governor Brad Little has signed House Bill 93 into law, creating a refundable tax credit for non-public school students. This legislation rounds out Idaho’s comprehensive approach to education funding, ensuring that all families—whether they choose public, private, charter, or home education—now have support.

Comprehensive Educational Support Programs in Idaho

Idaho now offers a full portfolio of school choice programs to support every student:

  • Idaho LAUNCH – Grants covering up to 80% of tuition and fees (up to $8,000) for high school seniors pursuing college or trade school.

  • Empowering Parents Grants – Helps public school families pay for educational tools and services.

  • H.B. 93 – Refundable tax credit for non-public school students, including those in private schools, homeschooling, micro-schools, learning pods, and tutoring programs.

Increased Funding for Traditional Public Schools

While Idaho expands school choice, the state is also making major investments in traditional public education:

  • Superintendent Debbie Critchfield's Funding Initiatives:

    • $24 million for a weighted funding formula to support students with additional needs.

    • $3 million for a special needs student fund to assist schools in covering high-cost special education needs.

    • $65 million for career-technical education (CTE) programs in high schools.

  • Legislative Proposals to Increase Public School Funding:

    • H.B. 75 – Establishes a Public Education Facilities Fund for school infrastructure improvements.

    • S.B. 1096 – Implements a weighted student funding model to allocate more resources for students with greater needs.

Key Charter School-Related Legislation

Beyond funding, Idaho lawmakers are considering several important bills related to charter schools and educational policies:

  • H.B. 163 – Gives active-duty military families priority access to public charter schools, allowing them to move to the top of waitlists. (Read More)

  • H.B. 256 – Expands the Public Charter School Facilities Program, making it easier for charter schools to finance facility improvements. (Read More)

  • H.B. 257 – Revises charter school operations and admissions policies to improve transparency and efficiency. (Read More)

  • S.B. 1032 – Requires school districts to implement policies limiting the use of electronic devices in classrooms, ensuring a more focused learning environment.

  • S.B. 1044 – Establishes proficiency benchmarks for cursive handwriting in Idaho schools to reinforce fundamental literacy skills.

Idaho’s Commitment to Every Family

With these initiatives, Idaho is leading the way in supporting all educational choices—from public schools and charter schools to homeschooling, private schools, and virtual learning. No matter how you choose to educate your child, there is now a program designed to support your family’s choice.

#SchoolChoice #EducationFunding #IdahoParents