IdahoH 08492026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding certain placement and movement on the career ladder.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Extra pay for advanced degrees or credits

If you hold a professional or advanced endorsement and meet the rung’s performance rules, you get extra education pay. A master’s degree pays $3,500 per year. A bachelor’s plus 24+ credits pays $2,000 per year. These amounts do not stack. Your degree or credits must be transcripted and on file from accredited schools or approved internships or work. Credits and degrees must be in a relevant content area or pedagogy. For occupational specialists, the initial certificate counts as a bachelor. Credits after initial certification can count.

Extra pay and rules for CTE teachers

Schools receive $3,000 per year for each CTE teacher who holds an occupational specialist certificate in the area taught. This money is part of salary. New or returning CTE specialists get ladder credit for industry experience: 2–3 years=1 year; 4–5=2; 6–7=3; 8+=4. Districts must raise placement for current CTE residents if experience rules place them higher. On the professional rung, you move up unless you missed the criteria as follows. After 1 year, move if you met the criteria that year. After 2 years, move unless you failed in either year. After 3 years, move unless you failed in two of the last three years. If you do not meet the required criteria, your allocation stays the same.

State base pay amounts by year

Beginning July 1, 2021, base amounts per ladder cell are set statewide. Residency: $40,369 / $40,990 / $41,611. Professional: $42,991 / $44,836 / $46,681 / $48,526 / $50,370. Advanced: $52,734 / $53,207. Beginning July 1, 2022, amounts update. Residency: $40,742 / $41,486 / $42,231. Professional: $43,488 / $45,302 / $47,116 / $48,930 / $50,743. Advanced: $53,478 / $54,442 / $55,389. Beginning July 1, 2023, amounts update again. Residency: $41,118 / $41,988 / $42,860. Professional: $43,990 / $45,773 / $47,555 / $49,337 / $51,119. Advanced: $54,233 / $55,705 / $57,165 / $58,613. Beginning July 1, 2024, amounts increase. Residency: $41,500 / $42,500 / $43,500. Professional: $44,500 / $46,250 / $48,000 / $49,750 / $51,500. Advanced: $55,000 / $57,000 / $59,000 / $61,000 / $63,000. Beginning July 1, 2025, educator cells rise by the same dollar amount as administrative and classified cells.

Stronger evaluation oversight and privacy

Districts must send the state five years of data to decide pay‑ladder movement. The state calculates who qualifies to move. Individual evaluation ratings sent to the state stay confidential personnel records. Each year, the state board reviews a random sample of administrator evaluations before November 1. The board requires ongoing evaluator training.

How you move up the ladder

If you are new with an Idaho certificate, you start in the first residency cell. You move one cell each year for up to three years while certificated and employed. After three years, you stay in cell three until you earn a professional endorsement. In your first year with a professional endorsement, you start in the first professional cell. You move one cell if you met the professional criteria in 3 of the last 5 years, with one in year 4 or 5. If you miss the required years, your allocation stays the same. In your first year with an advanced endorsement, you start in the first advanced cell. On the advanced rung, you move one cell if you met last year’s advanced criteria; otherwise you stay. When you are new or returning to Idaho schools, the state combines all counted experience to set your starting cell.

Path to professional and advanced endorsements

In your first three years, you get mentoring under your learning plan. After three years holding a certificate and working in a public school, you may apply for a professional endorsement. You must meet professional performance in two of the last three years, have a district recommendation, and keep an annual plan. To apply for an advanced endorsement, you generally need eight years with a renewable certificate. You must meet advanced performance in four of the past five years and show added leadership in three of five years. Out‑of‑state certified staff can count certificated service in compact states with a district recommendation. Accredited private school years count if you maintained certification. Pupil service and CTE staff can count qualifying industry experience. Endorsed staff are evaluated in at least two framework domains each year. Others are rated in all domains.

When these changes take effect

By emergency clause, this act takes full effect July 1, 2026. Schools and agencies follow the amended rules starting that date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Dave Lent
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 18 • No: 14

House vote • 3/24/2026

House Floor Vote