Idaho schools set student goals and report progress each year

Each district and public charter school must develop and submit a school performance plan to the state education department. Plans must address student learning and growth, readiness for college and careers, outcomes for at-risk and economically disadvantaged students, and board oversight of student performance. Plans must set measurable goals for student learning and later education or careers, use evidence-based strategies and student data, and include board learning goals. Boards and school leaders must seek input from students, parents, educators, and local businesses or industry partners as appropriate. Schools where at least 25% of students fall within listed groups may apply to use other measures of student success. Charter schools may use their performance-certificate measures and framework. Starting with the 2027–2028 school year, boards must submit plans by October 1 each year, update them each summer, and include an annual report on progress.

The superintendent of public instruction must provide increasing support and direct added state oversight when a school fails to show progress on most plan goals. These steps apply when the state education department finds that a district or public charter school has not shown progress on most goals in its plan. After one annual review finds a lack of progress on most goals, the superintendent must help the school reassess its plan, review its performance, and find recommendations and mentorship opportunities. After two consecutive reviews find a lack of progress on most goals, the superintendent must direct the department to approve certain funds, training plans, and curriculum materials that match the school's goals, and help arrange related training. After three consecutive reviews find a lack of progress on most goals, the department must review operations, including school calendars, and has final approval of the next school year's calendar. For charter schools, the superintendent must also consult the authorizer. The steps follow annual reviews: support after one finding, added approvals and training after two consecutive findings, and an operations review after three consecutive findings.

The state must distribute up to $6,600 per district and public charter school for board and leadership training, using a reimbursement process set by the superintendent. The distribution is for each Idaho school district and public charter school. The money comes from amounts appropriated for public school support, and schools receive it by seeking repayment under the superintendent's process. Training must cover planning, finance, ethics, governance, and evaluations of superintendents or charter administrators. No more than 25% of a school's allocation may pay for administrator mentorships.

Certain school district and public charter school reporting requirements are eliminated. The provision covers reporting requirements in place for school districts and public charter schools as of July 1, 2026. The rule excludes reports required by federal law, needed for public school finance, or related to the professional standards commission. The provision applies to reporting requirements in place as of July 1, 2026.