IdahoIdaho online learning academy would set course fees and funding rules
Idaho's online learning academy would charge course fees under state board approval and receive state funding only for enrollments that meet listed rules.
What it does
The academy board would set fees for course users, with state board approval. Graduation courses would cost no more than $40; other courses would cost at least $100.
The state would provide $445 for each eligible course enrollment. Courses in entirely virtual schools, driver's education, and most custom sections would not qualify.
The academy would operate as a fully accredited online school serving Idaho students statewide. Students beyond full-time enrollment, adult learners, and out-of-state students may have to pay.
The academy board would report on its courses and recommend a plan for managing digital learning across Idaho.
Argument forIdaho students could gain more course choices through an accredited online program, including classes their local schools may not offer.
Argument againstStudents and schools could face higher costs for some courses because private schools and other users pay fees, and some courses cannot receive state funding.
More detail
The academy board would set course fees, with state board approval. Fees may apply to public schools, charter schools, private schools, students, and other public or private users. Fees for required graduation courses may be no more than $40; fees for other courses must be at least $100. Private entities receive no state reimbursement and pay the full course fee.
The state would fund eligible academy course enrollments at $445 each. The funding covers eligible Idaho school-age children enrolled in academy courses; each course counts as a separate enrollment. Funding applies only to students in districts or charter schools that are not entirely virtual, and excludes driver's education and custom sections unless an emergency exception applies. Schools may pay fees for courses that do not qualify for state funding. A student who withdraws within the withdrawal window receives a fee return to the payer. Summer enrollments count in the fiscal year that begins that summer. The state makes an estimated payment by July 31 and reconciles funding before the May 15 balance payment.
The academy would be defined as a fully accredited online school that delivers courses statewide. The definition covers the Idaho Digital Learning Academy and its online course program. Idaho resident students may attend without paying tuition unless they take courses beyond full-time enrollment. Adult learners and out-of-state students would pay tuition at rates set by the state board.
The academy board would report on courses and recommend a statewide digital learning plan. The report goes to the state board of education. The board must report during the 2027 legislative session.
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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
- Apr 2Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on April 10, 2026 Session Law Chapter 319 Effective: 07/01/2026Became Law
- Apr 2Delivered to Governor at 10:38 a.m. on April 2, 2026To Governor
- Apr 2Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Apr 1Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Vote recorded Read third time in full –. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Apr 1Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Apr 1Returned from Senate Passed; to JRA for EnrollingMinor
- Apr 1Read third time in full – PASSED - 31-3-1AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Bjerke(Bjerke), Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Cook, Den Hartog, Galloway, Grow, Guthrie, Harris, Hart, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Carlson, Rabe, WintrowAbsent and excused – ForemanFloor Sponsor - LentTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 1Retained on calendar
- Mar 30Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 27Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 26Introduced, read first time; referred to: EducationMinor
- Mar 26Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 25Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required – PASSED - 48-22-0AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Galaviz, Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Marmon, Mendive, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Cheatum, Church, Cornilles, Egbert, Fuhriman, Furniss, Gannon, Garner, Green, Hall(Stone), Haws, Manwaring, Mathias, McCann, Mickelsen, Nelsen, Pohanka, Raymond, Rubel, Sauter, ShirtsAbsent – NoneFloor Sponsor - PickettTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 67 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 3, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Reported Printed; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 24Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
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