Idaho Schools

    In the past ten years, Idaho’s public school enrollment has increased by almost 20,000 students. It has been predicted that Idaho’s population will double in the next 20 years. This prediction has weighed heavily on the minds of Idaho’s Department of Education. New schools and school reform are on the table. Idaho’s state government recently passed a tax reform, moving a bulk of the school budget from property taxes to a 1% sales tax hike. This is expected to increase last year’s educational budget of over $750 million.

In recent Idaho Standards Achievement Tests the vast majority of Idaho students tested (grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10) tested at or above grade level in Math, Reading, and Language Usage. The average results ranged from the lowest figure of 71.3% of high school sophomores at or above grade level in Mathematics to 91.6% of third graders at or above grade level in Math.

More Idaho students are also taking more Advanced Placement (AP) tests and being placed in AP classes. The number of AP tests passed in Idaho rose 11% in 2006, and according to school administrators, more students are taking multiple AP tests. Idaho also boasts higher-than-average SAT scores for the 2006 year as well.

As a whole, Idaho met their set goals for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as part of No Child Left Behind, with more than 80% of students proficient or above in Math and Reading and 86% of high school seniors graduating. However, because the American Indian population was below the national requirements, Idaho has been placed in the overall “Does Not Meet AYP” category.

For more information on Idaho’s educational system, visit http://www.sde.state.id.us.