State Policy

Analysis: Higher ed faces a turbulent legislative session

A tense 2024 legislative session — and the warmup to an intense May primary — could put higher education under increased scrutiny.

K-12 schools could see $162 million in cuts from attendance-based formula

Find out how the formula change will affect your school district.

EXCLUSIVE: ‘The dollar store of higher education:’ Skeptics say the Phoenix purchase would cheapen the U of I brand

Emails are the closest the public got to a public hearing on the University of Idaho’s proposal. EdNews spoke to six people who spoke up against the $685 million megadeal in May — hours before the State Board signed on.

EXCLUSIVE: Two days in May: Inside the frenzied rush to approve — and oppose — the Phoenix purchase

Idaho Education News reviewed emails to and from State Board of Education members, obtained through a public records request. The unearthed emails provide a narrative of the 24 hours leading up to the State Board’s approval of the University of Idaho’s purchase of the University of Phoenix. 

Little touts results of outside Empowering Parents audit

The audit, ordered by the governor, pinpointed less than $41,000 in improper purchases, a small fraction of the $50 million of the federal funding that went into the program.

Lawmakers look to cut into bond ‘supermajority’ requirement

“People are generally getting more and more dissatisfied with the fact that we’re not able to address our aging facilities in public education,” Senate Education Committee Chairman Dave Lent told the Idaho Statesman.

U of I delays additional public records requests

EdNews has again requested documents containing the words “Project Neptune” — the U of I’s code name for the University of Phoenix. That’s one of two records requests that are on hold.

Fundraising in trustee elections: A final look

The latest round of sunshine reports put a wrap on Idaho’s 2023 school board elections.

Analysis: The State Board will have to settle a messy higher ed turf battle

Two of Idaho’s two-year schools want to offer four-year degrees — despite objections from Idaho’s four-year schools. Board members are about to pick sides.

U of I demands $2,400 to review — and perhaps release — Phoenix public records

The bill centers on Idaho Education News’ request for records mentioning “Project Neptune,” a code name for the University of Phoenix. And it comes as Boise State University’s approach to public records is also under fresh scrutiny.