When we talk about Idaho’s future, we don’t need to look far for inspiration. Our public schools are already delivering outstanding results, shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and community builders. The success of Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is just one example of how Idaho’s public education system is thriving and how, with continued investment, it can soar even higher.
District 25 is setting the standard for academic excellence in Idaho. Recent results from the 2024 Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) show District 25 ranking among the top five large school districts for math, with 45.3% of students scoring proficient or higher, surpassing both the state average and state goals. At Edahow Elementary, the success is even more remarkable. With 82.9% of students proficient in ELA and 78.3% in math, Edahow stands as one of the top-performing schools in the state. These achievements reflect the hard work of educators and administration, the dedication of students, and the support of parents and a community that believes in the power of public education. Idaho’s public schools have an impact far beyond test scores, nurturing great leaders like former U.S. Senator, Frank Church and philanthropist, Gregory Carr. These individuals are proof that public education in Idaho lays the groundwork for success in every field.
Voucher programs in other states experience ballooning budgets as they head toward a universal voucher program. Despite these successes, there’s an ongoing push to introduce private school voucher programs in Idaho. While proponents argue that vouchers offer “choice,” the data tells a different story. According to the Idaho Fiscal Policy Center, proposals for private school tax credit vouchers could divert up to $170 million annually from public schools. Public funds should be used for public investments, and in a state where 95% of students attend public schools, diverting resources to private institutions undermines the very foundation of our communities. Moreover, nearly half of Idaho’s counties don’t have a single private school, meaning rural families would see their tax dollars funneled to private schools in urban areas, offering no real choice for their children in their rural communities.
The Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy estimates that a universal voucher program could cost Idaho $360 million a year. Imagine what that money could do if reinvested in our public schools. We could hire 134 teachers for the next 48 years, address Idaho’s teacher shortages, or upgrade nearly half of Idaho’s aging school buildings. Additionally, we could fund special education for over five years, ensuring that all students receive the support they need. Imagine the possibilities if every Idaho school received the resources needed to not only maintain but expand their successes.
A new bill introduced by Rep. Galaviz seeks to improve funding for school construction and maintenance, particularly in rural areas. This legislation acknowledges what we already know: when we invest in our public schools, our communities flourish. Instead of funneling money into unproven voucher programs, we should channel every dollar into strengthening the schools that serve all Idahoans. Idaho’s public schools are not just surviving, they’re thriving. The results speak for themselves, and the stories behind those numbers are even more inspiring. Our teachers, administrators, and students are working hard every day to make Idaho proud. The question isn’t whether public education works, it’s how much more we can achieve when we fully support it. By investing in our public schools, we’re investing in Idaho’s future and the results are already showing us just how bright that future can be moving forward.
(1) comment
What complete statist hogwash! By all measures the literacy and mathematical scores down over past two decades. Thousands of college students indoctrinated to be pro-Hamas. Yeah - really great job!
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