IdahoIdaho schools may offer flexible learning and alternative classrooms
Idaho districts may negotiate with teachers or parents to offer a different-curriculum classroom for a group at least as large as the school's average class.
What it does
A district may negotiate a different-curriculum classroom for a group at least as large as the school's average class. Parents must agree to the curriculum, and the district checks it against state standards.
A designated self-directed student has a right to flexible learning, such as virtual attendance or learning outside class, if the student, teachers, and family agree.
The state board may set rules for lifetime certificates for eligible school staff with at least 25 years of certified experience. The Legislature must approve the rules.
Argument forSelf-directed students could have more choice in how and where they learn, with their teachers and families agreeing on the plan.
Argument againstStudents in an innovation classroom could miss district services if the agreement does not provide for them.
More detail
A school district may negotiate an agreement to offer a classroom with a different curriculum. A request must come from district teachers or parents of students attending the district. The group must include at least as many students as the school's average class size. The parents of participating students must agree to the curriculum. The district decides whether it meets state standards and may recommend additions. The agreement must describe the staff, instruction, student services, and start date. District transportation is available only if schedules align or the agreement provides for it. Within 60 days of a request, the district must say whether it is willing to negotiate. The agreement must state when the classroom will start.
A student designated as self-directed has a right to flexible learning agreed upon by the student, teachers, and parent or guardian. This applies to full-time Idaho public school students who show mastery of course content and are designated by a teacher. Starting in grade 5, the student must show mastery of basic math facts; starting in grade 8, the student must complete career and education planning steps. The student must meet agreed criteria to keep the designation. If the student fails those criteria or falls behind on assignments and does not fix the problem in the agreed time, the building administrator must remove the designation on the teacher's recommendation. The flexible learning arrangement applies while the student holds the designation.
The State Board of Education may set rules for lifetime certificates for eligible certified staff, with legislative approval. The rules may cover teachers, pupil service staff, and administrators who meet the experience requirement. Eligible staff must have at least 25 years of combined certified experience in teaching, administration, or another certified position in Idaho public schools, Idaho charter schools, or an equivalent public school system elsewhere. The certificate would cost nothing and require no ongoing reporting, maintenance, or professional development. It remains valid for life unless professional misconduct warrants revocation. The act takes effect July 1, 2026. The board may establish the rules only with legislative approval.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 30Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on March 27, 2026 Session Law Chapter 222 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Mar 30Delivered to Governor at 1:45 p.m. on March 27, 2026To Governor
- Mar 27Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 27Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 27Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 26Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 1 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26Rules Suspended: Ayes 68 Nays 1 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required – PASSED - 67-0-3AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – NoneAbsent – Crane(13), Green, SkaugFloor Sponsor - ChurchTitle apvd - to enrolMajor
- Mar 26Read second time as amended in Senate; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 25Read first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 25Reported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
- Mar 24Bills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
- Mar 24Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
- Mar 24House Concurred in Senate Amendments
- Mar 24Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
- Mar 23Read third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 32-1-2AYES – Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Rabe, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – LenneyAbsent and excused – Adams, Bjerke(Bjerke)Floor Sponsor - CarlsonTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time as amended in the Senate –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 17Read second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 16Read first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 16Amendments reported printed
- Mar 13Reported out as amended; filed for first reading
- Mar 13Amendments ordered printed
- Mar 13Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Mar 5Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
- Feb 26Introduced, read first time; referred to: EducationMinor
- Feb 26Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Feb 25Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 70-0-0AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Berch, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Egbert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Galaviz, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Haws, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mathias, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Nelsen, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Rubel, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – NoneAbsent – NoneFloor Sponsors - Church & HarrisTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read Third Time in Full –. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
- Feb 23Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 20Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Feb 19Reported Printed and Referred to Education
- Feb 18Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
Education