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IdahoS 13392026 regular legislative sessionSenate

EDUCATION – Repeals and adds to existing law to provide for strategic performance plans and training.

Sponsored By: STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

EDUCATION

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New strategic plans for districts and charters

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho replaces the old continuous improvement law with strategic performance plans for every district and charter. Each plan covers at least four years and sets clear, data‑driven goals for proficiency, growth, graduation, and postsecondary readiness, with evidence‑based strategies and board oversight. Boards and superintendents or charter leaders develop plans together and reach out to students, parents, educators, and local employers. Boards review progress on at least two plan areas every quarter, update plans each summer, and post them online. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, plans are adopted and sent to the State Department of Education by October 1 each year. Public charters may use their performance certificate to meet these plan rules.

Alternative success measures for high-need schools

Starting July 1, 2026, a district or charter may apply to use alternative student success measures if at least 25% of its students are special education, homeless, economically disadvantaged, enrolled in an alternative high school, or English learners. This gives schools with higher‑need students a tailored way to show progress.

Less state reporting for schools

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state ends reporting rules that are not federally required, not needed for school finance, and not tied to the Professional Standards Commission. Districts and charters no longer file those reports.

State evaluations, awards, and flexibility

The State Board must adopt, by September 1, 2026, a matrix the Department uses to judge progress, giving determinative weight to locally approved goals and any approved alternative measures. The Department reviews progress reports to find high performers and share their best practices, and to flag schools that are not improving. Each year, the top 10% that meet or beat their goals are named “schools or districts of educational excellence.” High performers may receive flexibility in accountability decisions, with multi‑year trends considered. Upon request, the superintendent gives annual reports to legislative education committees on high‑performing districts and charters.

Training funds for boards and leaders

Beginning July 1, 2026, each district and charter can get up to $6,600 for board and leadership training from state school funds. Up to 25% may pay for administrator mentorships. Money is reimbursed under a superintendent‑set process. Training must cover strategic planning, finance, ethics, governance, and evaluations of superintendents and charter administrators.

Funds withheld for late plans

Starting July 1, 2026, the State Department of Education may withhold part of a district’s or charter’s funds if it misses the plan deadline. The amount matches the state’s extra administrative costs and is returned when the plan is filed.

Stronger intervention for chronic low progress

If a district or charter shows no progress on most goals in one yearly review, the superintendent helps reassess strategies, reviews budgets, curriculum, and training, and shares mentorship options. After two straight years without progress, the Department approves remediation funds, professional development and literacy budgets, training plans, and curriculum aligned to goals, and the superintendent assists with formal training. After three straight years without progress, the Department conducts a full operational review and has final approval of the next year’s instructional calendar. For charter performance matters, the superintendent also consults the school’s authorizer.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Dave Lent

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael Leman Veile

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 86 • No: 17

House vote • 3/24/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 52 • No: 17

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor on 03/26/26 Session Law Chapter 177 Effective: 07/01/2026

    3/30/2026

  2. Reported delivered to Governor at 11:16 a.m. on 03/26/26

    3/26/2026

  3. Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor

    3/26/2026

  4. Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate

    3/25/2026House

  5. Reported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker

    3/25/2026Senate

  6. Returned From House Passed; referred to enrolling

    3/24/2026Senate

  7. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 52-17-1

    3/24/2026House

  8. Read second time; Filed for Third Reading

    3/23/2026House

  9. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading

    3/20/2026House

  10. Read First Time, Referred to Education

    3/13/2026House

  11. Received from the Senate, Filed for First Reading

    3/13/2026House

  12. Read third time in full – PASSED - 34-0-1

    3/12/2026Senate

  13. Read second time; filed for Third Reading

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading

    3/9/2026Senate

  15. Reported Printed; referred to Education

    2/26/2026Senate

  16. Introduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing

    2/25/2026Senate

Bill Text

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