All Roll Calls
Yes: 88 • No: 14
IdahoH 07112026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET
EDUCATION – Amends and adds to existing law to provide for alternative authorization for administrators and to authorize the use of funds for related mentoring.
Sponsored By: EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
EDUCATION
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New path to become a school administrator
The law creates a new route to Idaho administrator jobs. A district can sponsor you for a three-year interim certificate if you have a bachelor’s degree, pass the state criminal history check, complete 3 credits in the teacher-evaluation framework, and meet one of two paths: at least 5 years of Idaho certified teaching or at least 5 years of leadership experience. Before issuance, the state and district assess your skills; if there are gaps, you must finish at least 6 semester credits in areas like school law, finance, special education, or instructional leadership. You get structured mentoring from a licensed administrator with 5+ years’ experience, with at least 70 hours in the first two years; the mentor files annual reports and the district pays the mentor (it can use section 33-320 funds). The interim certificate lasts three years and can be renewed up to three more years with proficient evaluations and completed mentoring. After you finish program requirements, you are eligible for a standard administrator certificate.
Funds for district training and mentoring
The state reimburses up to $6,600 per school district and per public charter school for approved training. Topics include continuous improvement, strategic planning, finance, superintendent and administrator evaluations, ethics, and governance. Districts may also use these funds to support administrator mentoring under the alternative authorization program. The State Board sets rules for qualified training providers and keeps a list of approved Idaho providers.
State commission to improve schools
The law creates a State Commission for Education Excellence to study improvement plans and student results. It meets at least twice a year to review plans in the fall and statewide data in the summer. Members include state education leaders, legislators, business and community voices, a parent, and award-winning educators. The State Board’s office staffs the commission and shares reports with legislators.
Yearly school improvement plans posted
Every school district and public charter school must write a data-driven continuous improvement plan each year. The plan includes goals and measures for student achievement and growth, literacy, college and career advising, and staff performance, plus a report on last year’s progress. Plans are updated by October 1 each year, posted on the district or charter website, and submitted to the State Board of Education.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Cindy J. Carlson
Republican • Senate
Dale R. Hawkins
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/26/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 30 • No: 5
House vote • 3/2/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 58 • No: 9
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 31, 2026 Session Law Chapter 254 Effective: 03/31/2026
4/1/2026Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/30/2026SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/27/2026HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 30-5-0
3/26/2026HouseRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/23/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/20/2026HouseReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
3/3/2026SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 58-9-3
3/2/2026HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, March 2, 2026
2/27/2026HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
2/26/2026HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
2/25/2026HouseReported Printed and Referred to Education
2/17/2026HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
2/16/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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